> * In math as in life, we should try to express ourselves as simply and as
> clearly as possible. Especially in math, which gets complicated (not that
> life doesn't!). In particular, give your answers in simplest form.
>
The problem is that "simplified," as we have often defined it for our
beginning algebra students, is not always simpler. Moreover, to enforce
the rule of "simplified", we deny credit for mathematically correct
work. This reinforces the student's notion that math is arbitrary, not
logical and consistent.
Cheers,
Kathy Burgis
Lansing Community College
Lansing, Michigan
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