RE: Third Grade Math

Michael McKenney ( mmckenne@ins.state.pa.us )
Thu, 29 Oct 1998 08:30:05 -0500

yes, but 24=3D3+5 is intrepreted to mean 24=3D(3+5), not 24=3D3, oh and then=
add
5. The interpretations involve equal signs, not mult, div, add, and
subtract, Everybody knows their correct order. The equal signs make the
big difference which is not what your argument presents.

At 03:51 PM 10/28/98 -0500, mary.kroggel@ins.state.oh.us wrote:
>
>
>I've taken this as long as I can. I will try not to stay on my soapbox for
>too long. The way the problem is written there is no interpretation
>involved. It can be rewritten to give the intended answers. 24/3 + 5 can
>not be interpreted to be
>24/(3+5). The problem is that too many elementary teachers do not
>understand basic mathematics. Many are elem. teachers(especially K-3)
>because they wanted to touch as little math as possible. They pass this
>along to their students who then give up on math themselves and so it goes.
>Once they get to 9th or even 7th grade, it is almost impossible to teach
>them the basics because they think they already know them. The elem. math
>textbooks are atrocious. Even a conscientious teacher who understands the
>basic principles would have to create their own handouts, etc. to
>counteract the tools they have at their diposal and the misconceptions kids
>bring from their previous teachers. I had a 5th grade teacher tell my
>child that 27/6 was, as a decimal, 4.3. (4R3=3D4.3 not the 4.5 my child put
>on her paper) Until we value education as a nation, I don't see much hope
>for improvement.
>
>
>
>
>Brenda Reddick <breddick@busca.bm> on 10/28/98 01:52:55 PM
>
>To: "'Ruhm, David'" <David.Ruhm@AIG.com>, casnet@lists.casact.org
>cc: (bcc: Mary Kroggel/OFRS/INS)
>
>Subject: RE: Third Grade Math
>
>
>
>
>
>Fascinating. I've always wondered why so many of the high school and
>college kids I've tutored have no concept of what "equals" means. I'd
>love to hear why they're commonly taught this way.=A0 Any ideas?
>
>-Brenda Reddick
>
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Ruhm, David [mailto:David.Ruhm@AIG.com]
>Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 1998 1:30 PM
>To: casnet@lists.casact.org
>Subject: RE: Third Grade Math
>
>
>
>Diamond is 78.=A0 Apply each operation consecutively to get the rest,
>i.e., Circle =3D 40, Square =3D 440, Triangle =3D 88, Hexagon =3D 115, Oval=
=3D
>230, Star =3D 211.=A0 This type of sequential equation phrasing (producing=
a
>result that follows an equals sign, and then applying an operation) is
>commonly practiced in grade-school and high-school math, and does not
>represent a chain of equalities. - David Ruhm
>
> -----Original Message-----
>From:=A0=A0 Andr=E9 Perez [SMTP:aperez@busca.bm]
>Sent:=A0=A0 Wednesday, October 28, 1998 11:55 AM
>To:=A0=A0=A0=A0 'Richard.W.Nichols@travelers.com'; casnet@lists.casact.org
>Subject:=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 RE: Third Grade Math
>
> Unless there's a trick, this is what I come up with:
>
> Star: 211
>Oval: 230
>Hexagon: 105.5
>Triangle: 184
>Square: 1,055
>Circle: about 19.20
>Diamond: 249
>
> Am I missing something, or do I need to redo Part 1 ?!!!
>
> Andre Perez
>
> -----Original Message-----
>From: Richard.W.Nichols@travelers.com
>[ mailto:Richard.W.Nichols@travelers.com]
>Sent: Wednesday, October 28, 1998 12:29 PM
>To: casnet@lists.casact.org
>Subject: Third Grade Math
>
>
> The following problem was presented to a group of third
>graders.=A0 I have
>a solution from the teacher that I disagree with.=A0 I thought I would
>pose the problem to a group of mathematics professionals and see if
>anyone comes up with the teachers answer.
>
> I will state the problem twice as I am not sure how these things
>will
>translate in the various e-mail systems.
>
> In words:
>Diamond minus 38 equals Circle times 11 equals Square divided by 5
>equals Triangle plus 27 equals Hexagon times 2 equals Oval minus 19
>equals Star.=A0 Star equals 211.=A0 What number should replace each shape.
>
>
> In symbols:
>diamond - 38 =3D circle x 11 =3D square /5 =3D triangle +27 =3D hexagon x 2=
=3D
>oval - 19 =3D star
>Star =3D 211.=A0 What number should replace each shape.
>
>
>
>
> Visit the CAS Web Site at http://www.casact.org
>=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
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=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
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>Visit the CAS Web Site at http://www.casact.org
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