|
Talk about getting old ...
I was down in the basement going through some boxes of junk and came
across my K&E sliderule that I used back in high school while taking a drafting course. I was never very proficient with it, but I remembered how to do basic functions like multiplying a couple of numbers. So, my 15 year old grandson showed up at the house. I handed him the slide rule and asked him if he knew what it was. Not a clue. He played with it a little then handed it back asking what it was. I explained it was a slide rule and, if you knew how to use it, it could solve very complex math problems. He said, "Cool, but I can do all that on my cell phone". |
Talk about getting old ...
On Thursday, 12 September 2013 20:12:45 UTC-3, Mr. Luddite wrote:
I was down in the basement going through some boxes of junk and came across my K&E sliderule that I used back in high school while taking a drafting course. I was never very proficient with it, but I remembered how to do basic functions like multiplying a couple of numbers. So, my 15 year old grandson showed up at the house. I handed him the slide rule and asked him if he knew what it was. Not a clue. He played with it a little then handed it back asking what it was. I explained it was a slide rule and, if you knew how to use it, it could solve very complex math problems. He said, "Cool, but I can do all that on my cell phone". I have mine stashed away up in an old trunk, up in the attic. Wish I still had the instructions that came with it. I forget how to do anything other than the simplest calculations. |
Talk about getting old ...
On Thu, 12 Sep 2013 17:13:58 -0700 (PDT), True North
wrote: I have mine stashed away up in an old trunk, up in the attic. Wish I still had the instructions that came with it. I forget how to do anything other than the simplest calculations. === The most important thing to learn with a slide rule is how to keep track of the decimal point, and that doesn't involve the slide rule at all. |
Talk about getting old ...
In article , "Mr.
Luddite" says... I was down in the basement going through some boxes of junk and came across my K&E sliderule that I used back in high school while taking a drafting course. I was never very proficient with it, but I remembered how to do basic functions like multiplying a couple of numbers. So, my 15 year old grandson showed up at the house. I handed him the slide rule and asked him if he knew what it was. Not a clue. He played with it a little then handed it back asking what it was. I explained it was a slide rule and, if you knew how to use it, it could solve very complex math problems. He said, "Cool, but I can do all that on my cell phone". My brother used a slide rule in college, and I did some in high school. He bought a T.I. calculator, that could add, subtract, multiply, divide AND do square roots! We were amazed with it. My uncle just couldn't believe it!! |
Talk about getting old ...
On Fri, 13 Sep 2013 12:38:12 -0400, wrote:
There is some discussion that math skills like long division and doing square roots may go the way of cursive writing. === The important thing is to understand the concepts not the actual mechanics since literally no one does long division or square roots by hand anymore. |
Talk about getting old ...
On 9/13/13 5:22 PM, Wayne.B wrote:
On Fri, 13 Sep 2013 12:38:12 -0400, wrote: There is some discussion that math skills like long division and doing square roots may go the way of cursive writing. === The important thing is to understand the concepts not the actual mechanics since literally no one does long division or square roots by hand anymore. Well, maybe not square roots, but when I am cutting down a piece of lumber into thirds or quarters, and it's an unknown length, I measure it with a steel tape and then do "long division" to get and mark the lengths. There are still reasons to be able to do simply math in your hand or by hand. |
Talk about getting old ...
F.O.A.D. wrote:
On 9/13/13 5:22 PM, Wayne.B wrote: On Fri, 13 Sep 2013 12:38:12 -0400, wrote: There is some discussion that math skills like long division and doing square roots may go the way of cursive writing. === The important thing is to understand the concepts not the actual mechanics since literally no one does long division or square roots by hand anymore. Well, maybe not square roots, but when I am cutting down a piece of lumber into thirds or quarters, and it's an unknown length, I measure it with a steel tape and then do "long division" to get and mark the lengths. There are still reasons to be able to do simply math in your hand or by hand. Simply math in your hand, eh? |
Talk about getting old ...
On Fri, 13 Sep 2013 17:57:09 -0400, "F.O.A.D." wrote:
There are still reasons to be able to do simply math in your hand or by hand. === Your head seems to be fixated on your hand. Love at first sight? |
Talk about getting old ...
On 9/13/13 10:03 PM, Wayne.B wrote:
On Fri, 13 Sep 2013 17:57:09 -0400, "F.O.A.D." wrote: There are still reasons to be able to do simply math in your hand or by hand. === Your head seems to be fixated on your hand. Love at first sight? This newsgroup needed a third Scotty. Welcome, ScottyWayne. |
Talk about getting old ...
|
Talk about getting old ...
On Fri, 13 Sep 2013 22:07:10 -0400, "F.O.A.D." wrote:
On 9/13/13 10:03 PM, Wayne.B wrote: On Fri, 13 Sep 2013 17:57:09 -0400, "F.O.A.D." wrote: There are still reasons to be able to do simply math in your hand or by hand. === Your head seems to be fixated on your hand. Love at first sight? This newsgroup needed a third Scotty. Welcome, ScottyWayne. === Shouldn't you be hard at work trying to repay your creditors and back taxes? Maybe you can pass the hat at your upcoming 70th birthday party, assuming there's anyone who wants to attend. |
Talk about getting old ...
On Saturday, September 14, 2013 12:03:19 AM UTC-4, Wayne. B wrote:
Maybe you can pass the hat at your upcoming 70th birthday party, assuming there's anyone who wants to attend. I will ,,,,as long as I can **** on the cake. **** HIM. I hope he ****ing croaks. |
Talk about getting old ...
On 9/14/13 12:03 AM, Wayne.B wrote:
On Fri, 13 Sep 2013 22:07:10 -0400, "F.O.A.D." wrote: On 9/13/13 10:03 PM, Wayne.B wrote: On Fri, 13 Sep 2013 17:57:09 -0400, "F.O.A.D." wrote: There are still reasons to be able to do simply math in your hand or by hand. === Your head seems to be fixated on your hand. Love at first sight? This newsgroup needed a third Scotty. Welcome, ScottyWayne. === Shouldn't you be hard at work trying to repay your creditors and back taxes? Maybe you can pass the hat at your upcoming 70th birthday party, assuming there's anyone who wants to attend. Good morning, ScottyWayne. |
Talk about getting old ...
On Fri, 13 Sep 2013 22:41:23 -0400, BAR wrote:
In article , says... On Thu, 12 Sep 2013 19:12:45 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" nowayalso.jose.com wrote: I was down in the basement going through some boxes of junk and came across my K&E sliderule that I used back in high school while taking a drafting course. I was never very proficient with it, but I remembered how to do basic functions like multiplying a couple of numbers. So, my 15 year old grandson showed up at the house. I handed him the slide rule and asked him if he knew what it was. Not a clue. He played with it a little then handed it back asking what it was. I explained it was a slide rule and, if you knew how to use it, it could solve very complex math problems. He said, "Cool, but I can do all that on my cell phone". There is some discussion that math skills like long division and doing square roots may go the way of cursive writing. My grand daughter, in an advanced school in Palm Beach County, did not get long division yet ... in the 4th grade. My daughters AP Calculas, high school, wasn't allowed to use calculators for the first semester. Calculators should be illegal in schools. I tried giving some no-calculator tests/quizzes for 8th graders. Many parents went absolutely bananas. I was improperly penalizing the kids. I had one girl doing a problem at the board in which she had to multiply 6 times 7. She wanted to go to her desk to get her calculator. I wouldn't let her. The dad called the principal, had a meeting, accused me of purposely embarrassing his daughter (who, he said, was having her period - as though I was supposed to know!). I suggested he buy some multiplication and division flash cards and use them next time they went to King's Dominion. Luckily, the principal and I got along very well, or I'd probably have been looking for another job. John (Gun Nut) H. -- Hope you're having a great day! |
Talk about getting old ...
In article ,
says... On Fri, 13 Sep 2013 17:57:09 -0400, "F.O.A.D." wrote: On 9/13/13 5:22 PM, Wayne.B wrote: On Fri, 13 Sep 2013 12:38:12 -0400, wrote: There is some discussion that math skills like long division and doing square roots may go the way of cursive writing. === The important thing is to understand the concepts not the actual mechanics since literally no one does long division or square roots by hand anymore. Well, maybe not square roots, but when I am cutting down a piece of lumber into thirds or quarters, and it's an unknown length, I measure it with a steel tape and then do "long division" to get and mark the lengths. There are still reasons to be able to do simply math in your hand or by hand. When you are doing tricks like that it is easier to use the metric scale on the tape too. No fractions of an inch to fool with I deal in a lot of equipment installs that are metric and require drawings in both metric and imperial. Metric is SO much easier and neater. |
Talk about getting old ...
In article ,
says... On Fri, 13 Sep 2013 22:41:23 -0400, BAR wrote: In article , says... On Thu, 12 Sep 2013 19:12:45 -0400, "Mr. Luddite" nowayalso.jose.com wrote: I was down in the basement going through some boxes of junk and came across my K&E sliderule that I used back in high school while taking a drafting course. I was never very proficient with it, but I remembered how to do basic functions like multiplying a couple of numbers. So, my 15 year old grandson showed up at the house. I handed him the slide rule and asked him if he knew what it was. Not a clue. He played with it a little then handed it back asking what it was. I explained it was a slide rule and, if you knew how to use it, it could solve very complex math problems. He said, "Cool, but I can do all that on my cell phone". There is some discussion that math skills like long division and doing square roots may go the way of cursive writing. My grand daughter, in an advanced school in Palm Beach County, did not get long division yet ... in the 4th grade. My daughters AP Calculas, high school, wasn't allowed to use calculators for the first semester. Calculators should be illegal in schools. I tried giving some no-calculator tests/quizzes for 8th graders. Many parents went absolutely bananas. I was improperly penalizing the kids. I had one girl doing a problem at the board in which she had to multiply 6 times 7. She wanted to go to her desk to get her calculator. I wouldn't let her. The dad called the principal, had a meeting, accused me of purposely embarrassing his daughter (who, he said, was having her period - as though I was supposed to know!). I suggested he buy some multiplication and division flash cards and use them next time they went to King's Dominion. Luckily, the principal and I got along very well, or I'd probably have been looking for another job. John (Gun Nut) H. Cool story, bro! |
Talk about getting old ...
In article ,
says... On Fri, 13 Sep 2013 17:22:55 -0400, Wayne.B wrote: On Fri, 13 Sep 2013 12:38:12 -0400, wrote: There is some discussion that math skills like long division and doing square roots may go the way of cursive writing. === The important thing is to understand the concepts not the actual mechanics since literally no one does long division or square roots by hand anymore. Everyone should understand the basic mechanics of arithmetic and some of the tricks like reciprocals so they can do basic calculations in their head or at least with a pencil. We are creating generations of people who are totally lost if the battery does in their cell phone. My job keeps me math practiced. You are totally correct about basic math mechanics. When my son was young and learning adding, subtracting positives and negatives, I asked him if the he ever was shown a number line. Nope, never. So, I drew one, he got the concept of negatives and positives right away. When I grew up, everyone knew what a number line was, and understood it. They need to put that back in the early math courses. |
Talk about getting old ...
On Sat, 14 Sep 2013 13:12:21 -0400, wrote:
On Sat, 14 Sep 2013 11:31:00 -0400, iBoaterer wrote: In article , says... On Fri, 13 Sep 2013 17:22:55 -0400, Wayne.B wrote: On Fri, 13 Sep 2013 12:38:12 -0400, wrote: There is some discussion that math skills like long division and doing square roots may go the way of cursive writing. === The important thing is to understand the concepts not the actual mechanics since literally no one does long division or square roots by hand anymore. Everyone should understand the basic mechanics of arithmetic and some of the tricks like reciprocals so they can do basic calculations in their head or at least with a pencil. We are creating generations of people who are totally lost if the battery does in their cell phone. My job keeps me math practiced. You are totally correct about basic math mechanics. When my son was young and learning adding, subtracting positives and negatives, I asked him if the he ever was shown a number line. Nope, never. So, I drew one, he got the concept of negatives and positives right away. When I grew up, everyone knew what a number line was, and understood it. They need to put that back in the early math courses. I am not even sure the current batch of teachers understand it. We are old. They grew up with a calculator in their hand. (anyone younger than 45 or so). In 1971 my Bomar "4 banger" cost about $100. A few years later you could get one free with a "fill up" at a gas station. Number lines were on the walls of all the middle school math teachers when I was teaching. I can't imagine a decent teacher not having one when introducing kids to negative numbers. John (Gun Nut) H. -- Hope you're having a great day! |
Talk about getting old ...
In article ,
says... On Sat, 14 Sep 2013 13:12:21 -0400, wrote: On Sat, 14 Sep 2013 11:31:00 -0400, iBoaterer wrote: In article , says... On Fri, 13 Sep 2013 17:22:55 -0400, Wayne.B wrote: On Fri, 13 Sep 2013 12:38:12 -0400, wrote: There is some discussion that math skills like long division and doing square roots may go the way of cursive writing. === The important thing is to understand the concepts not the actual mechanics since literally no one does long division or square roots by hand anymore. Everyone should understand the basic mechanics of arithmetic and some of the tricks like reciprocals so they can do basic calculations in their head or at least with a pencil. We are creating generations of people who are totally lost if the battery does in their cell phone. My job keeps me math practiced. You are totally correct about basic math mechanics. When my son was young and learning adding, subtracting positives and negatives, I asked him if the he ever was shown a number line. Nope, never. So, I drew one, he got the concept of negatives and positives right away. When I grew up, everyone knew what a number line was, and understood it. They need to put that back in the early math courses. I am not even sure the current batch of teachers understand it. We are old. They grew up with a calculator in their hand. (anyone younger than 45 or so). In 1971 my Bomar "4 banger" cost about $100. A few years later you could get one free with a "fill up" at a gas station. Number lines were on the walls of all the middle school math teachers when I was teaching. I can't imagine a decent teacher not having one when introducing kids to negative numbers. John (Gun Nut) H. Of course.... |
Talk about getting old ...
On 9/14/13 4:46 PM, wrote:
On Sat, 14 Sep 2013 14:50:48 -0400, John H wrote: On Sat, 14 Sep 2013 13:12:21 -0400, wrote: I am not even sure the current batch of teachers understand it. We are old. They grew up with a calculator in their hand. (anyone younger than 45 or so). In 1971 my Bomar "4 banger" cost about $100. A few years later you could get one free with a "fill up" at a gas station. Number lines were on the walls of all the middle school math teachers when I was teaching. I can't imagine a decent teacher not having one when introducing kids to negative numbers. John (Gun Nut) H. My daughter now has 2 of the 3 of her kids home schooled. This is not the Jesus thing, it is a program run by the school board and most of it is online. Kids need good grades to do it tho. It all came up over that long division thing. I am sure this will set Harry's hair on fire but it is not a new thing,. Maryland was doing it in the 80s. Back in my public school days, there were several private schools in the area that catered to kids who couldn't make it for whatever reason in the public schools. I'm not saying those kids were "slow." There also was one Catholic high school that got the cream of the crop of bright Catholic kids. I haven't kept up with what is happening in K-12 these days, although I am very impressed with my grandson's progress in his schools. We have a family member who home schools the kids for "religious" reasons. I wouldn't want to be those kids. |
Talk about getting old ...
On Sat, 14 Sep 2013 16:46:20 -0400, wrote:
On Sat, 14 Sep 2013 14:50:48 -0400, John H wrote: On Sat, 14 Sep 2013 13:12:21 -0400, wrote: I am not even sure the current batch of teachers understand it. We are old. They grew up with a calculator in their hand. (anyone younger than 45 or so). In 1971 my Bomar "4 banger" cost about $100. A few years later you could get one free with a "fill up" at a gas station. Number lines were on the walls of all the middle school math teachers when I was teaching. I can't imagine a decent teacher not having one when introducing kids to negative numbers. John (Gun Nut) H. My daughter now has 2 of the 3 of her kids home schooled. This is not the Jesus thing, it is a program run by the school board and most of it is online. Kids need good grades to do it tho. It all came up over that long division thing. I am sure this will set Harry's hair on fire but it is not a new thing,. Maryland was doing it in the 80s. Getting the kids away from the union teachers is the best thing for them. John (Gun Nut) H. -- Hope you're having a great day! |
Talk about getting old ...
On 9/14/13 5:59 PM, wrote:
On Sat, 14 Sep 2013 16:58:51 -0400, "F.O.A.D." wrote: On 9/14/13 4:46 PM, wrote: My daughter now has 2 of the 3 of her kids home schooled. This is not the Jesus thing, it is a program run by the school board and most of it is online. Kids need good grades to do it tho. It all came up over that long division thing. I am sure this will set Harry's hair on fire but it is not a new thing,. Maryland was doing it in the 80s. Back in my public school days, there were several private schools in the area that catered to kids who couldn't make it for whatever reason in the public schools. I'm not saying those kids were "slow." There also was one Catholic high school that got the cream of the crop of bright Catholic kids. I haven't kept up with what is happening in K-12 these days, although I am very impressed with my grandson's progress in his schools. We have a family member who home schools the kids for "religious" reasons. I wouldn't want to be those kids. This is the public school curriculum taught at home. The kids have to be a B or above to even do it. Some people may want a religious tilt but that is not the case with my daughters. The oldest wants to test into a special "arts" school and she won't get all she needs from the public school. (it started with that "division" thing) The youngest is somewhat ADD and they would just want to drug him into submission. He is smart but easily bored. The middle kid may get bumped up 2 grades next year. She is already taking 5th grade math and science. (in the 3d grade) Our home schooling family member doesn't want his precious progeny to mix with kids who don't believe in the same sort of backass christianity he does or, worse, don't believe in jesus at all. |
Talk about getting old ...
In article , says...
On Sat, 14 Sep 2013 16:46:20 -0400, wrote: On Sat, 14 Sep 2013 14:50:48 -0400, John H wrote: On Sat, 14 Sep 2013 13:12:21 -0400, wrote: I am not even sure the current batch of teachers understand it. We are old. They grew up with a calculator in their hand. (anyone younger than 45 or so). In 1971 my Bomar "4 banger" cost about $100. A few years later you could get one free with a "fill up" at a gas station. Number lines were on the walls of all the middle school math teachers when I was teaching. I can't imagine a decent teacher not having one when introducing kids to negative numbers. John (Gun Nut) H. My daughter now has 2 of the 3 of her kids home schooled. This is not the Jesus thing, it is a program run by the school board and most of it is online. Kids need good grades to do it tho. It all came up over that long division thing. I am sure this will set Harry's hair on fire but it is not a new thing,. Maryland was doing it in the 80s. Getting the kids away from the union teachers is the best thing for them. John (Gun Nut) H. I was ready to move in 10 months but, then my wife got a job in the middle of Montgomery County working for Montgomery College and we are kind of stuck for another 5 to 10 years. |
Talk about getting old ...
|
Talk about getting old ...
Wayne.B wrote:
On Fri, 13 Sep 2013 22:07:10 -0400, "F.O.A.D." wrote: On 9/13/13 10:03 PM, Wayne.B wrote: On Fri, 13 Sep 2013 17:57:09 -0400, "F.O.A.D." wrote: There are still reasons to be able to do simply math in your hand or by hand. === Your head seems to be fixated on your hand. Love at first sight? This newsgroup needed a third Scotty. Welcome, ScottyWayne. === Shouldn't you be hard at work trying to repay your creditors and back taxes? Maybe you can pass the hat at your upcoming 70th birthday party, assuming there's anyone who wants to attend. True. |
Talk about getting old ...
F.O.A.D. wrote:
On 9/14/13 12:03 AM, Wayne.B wrote: On Fri, 13 Sep 2013 22:07:10 -0400, "F.O.A.D." wrote: On 9/13/13 10:03 PM, Wayne.B wrote: On Fri, 13 Sep 2013 17:57:09 -0400, "F.O.A.D." wrote: There are still reasons to be able to do simply math in your hand or by hand. === Your head seems to be fixated on your hand. Love at first sight? This newsgroup needed a third Scotty. Welcome, ScottyWayne. === Shouldn't you be hard at work trying to repay your creditors and back taxes? Maybe you can pass the hat at your upcoming 70th birthday party, assuming there's anyone who wants to attend. Good morning, ScottyWayne. Non-responsive and a weak diversion by the deadbeat. |
Talk about getting old ...
On Sat, 14 Sep 2013 18:50:09 -0400, BAR wrote:
In article , says... On Sat, 14 Sep 2013 16:46:20 -0400, wrote: On Sat, 14 Sep 2013 14:50:48 -0400, John H wrote: On Sat, 14 Sep 2013 13:12:21 -0400, wrote: I am not even sure the current batch of teachers understand it. We are old. They grew up with a calculator in their hand. (anyone younger than 45 or so). In 1971 my Bomar "4 banger" cost about $100. A few years later you could get one free with a "fill up" at a gas station. Number lines were on the walls of all the middle school math teachers when I was teaching. I can't imagine a decent teacher not having one when introducing kids to negative numbers. John (Gun Nut) H. My daughter now has 2 of the 3 of her kids home schooled. This is not the Jesus thing, it is a program run by the school board and most of it is online. Kids need good grades to do it tho. It all came up over that long division thing. I am sure this will set Harry's hair on fire but it is not a new thing,. Maryland was doing it in the 80s. Getting the kids away from the union teachers is the best thing for them. John (Gun Nut) H. I was ready to move in 10 months but, then my wife got a job in the middle of Montgomery County working for Montgomery College and we are kind of stuck for another 5 to 10 years. I've been ready to move for the last 10 years, but my wife likes the house, the friends, etc. If you've not played the UofMD golf course, it's worth a shot. Nice course, decent rates. John (Gun Nut) H. -- Hope you're having a great day! |
| All times are GMT +1. The time now is 01:19 PM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2025, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2004 - 2014 BoatBanter.com