Re: [MATHEDCC] L.A. Times article

Sandy Wagner (sandyw@best.com)
Wed, 31 Mar 1999 08:13:30 -0800

Sandra: I was with you right up until you mentioned factoring. That is one
of my 'litmus tests' for a math course. Factoring of trinomials is *never*
used in life. The reasons: nature does not give us factorable trinomials,
and we have perfectly good ways to solve polynomial equations. Also, in my
opinion the process of factoring has no intellectual content, leads nowhere,
and requires a big investment of pre-requisite time. IMHO the factor
theorem can be taught independent of the process of factoring.
-Sandy

At 09:21 AM 03/31/99 -0500, you wrote:
>Of course, the accompanying problem is that when we track students because
>of what (they think) they want to do (now), we limit their options. Too
>often we have used that to discriminate against those we believe cannot
>"make it" into the 4 year colleges. Much later, when they decide to change
>careers or decide to go further in theirs, they have to go back and take
>the mathematics course they avoided earlier. For that reason, we here at
>Hunter have gotten rid of our Chemistry for Nurses, Physics for Poets type
>courses. Those nurses and poets show up a few years later determined to be
>doctors and have to virtually start over. If the mathematics is taught
>properly, all these students can learn the factoring, etc. and be better
>off for it.
>
>My own slant, of course.
>Sandi Clarkson

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