Tutoring math, you want to optimize your students’ calculator usage. The tutor recalls his own use of the calculator memory back in high school; it was indispensable then. Let’s imagine you’re facing the following situation: (3√(25+√14)^2 + (sin(0.27) +2)^3 – …
The tutor notices that financial math is more prominent in high school than it was twenty years ago. Probably the change is good; let’s embrace it with a first look at mortgage payments. This topic comes up annually in tutoring. …
Tutoring math, you know sales tax problems to be part of the elementary school repertoire. The tutor brings forward a more subtle one that’s probably grade 10 or 11 level. Sales tax problems were calculated by hand when I was …
Math: a sales tax problem feat. the “let statement” Read more »
Tutoring math, this idea rarely surfaces. However, it’s essential to number theory, a favourite of math professors. The tutor discusses it for interest’s sake. The square root of n is the number x such that x(x)=n. Perhaps more to the …
Math: Proof that the square root of 2 is irrational Read more »
Tutoring math, short division is rarely the aim – yet, it’s often a means. The math tutor introduces it. I used short division back in my May 4, 2013 post about finding square roots and cube roots. I didn’t …
Tutoring math, you are surrounded by calculators. The math tutor tells a story. Years ago I realized that knowing “how to do” a process in math is being eclipsed by “how to use” a calculator. First, I saw the …
Tutoring math 11 and 12, you encounter this formula. The math tutor discusses the general case of compound interest. I’ve discussed compound interest and exponential growth in numerous posts:here, here, and here. However, the focus has been on annual compounding, …
Continuing from his previous post, the tutor assesses whether the sequoia tree’s growth is exponential. Normally, tutoring doesn’t encompass this topic; it’s interesting nonetheless. Growing a foot (in height) per year, the tree is growing arithmetically, rather than exponentially. …
Recently in Victoria, the tutor noticed a sequoia tree in front of the Parliament Buildings. The plaque said it grows, on average, 1 foot per year. Is that exponential growth? I’ve introduced exponential growth in a couple of contexts: see …
Tutoring math, you see topics come in and go out of style. Arithmetic mean is such a concept…. In math, the “mean” is known by some as the average. To find the mean of 65 and 83, add them …