Re: [MATHEDCC] Why simplify fractions?

jodi (jodi@PRIMENET.COM)
Mon, 6 Oct 1997 18:35:22 -0700 (MST)

We just had a huge discussion on this in my Intermediate Algebra class. "I
got.....for an answer, but the book has.....". So, we talked about how we
had to know if we had a correct answer, even if it didn't look like the one
in the back of the book. Can you simplify it to make it look the same?
Does your answer make sense? I do not get to much into "the correct form",
as I tell my students, there is no "Jodi's" method of mathematics. My main
concern is that they can *THINK* and decide if they have a correct answer.
I do want them to learn to simplify as much as possible...but there are
also many forms of the completely simplified form.

Geoff, I agree with your statement.....

>* 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.

Jodi Cotten
Northern Arizona University
Graduate Student

>Geoff Akst wrote:
>
> > What about for simplifying (reducing) fractions?
>
>Geoff,
>
>This will probably cause another flood of mail, but I guess I have to
>admit that I do not think simplifying fractions is a worthwhile activity
>either. In fact, I have problems with the concept of "simplified form"
>in general.
>
>Cheers,
>Kathy Burgis
>Lansing Community College
>Lansing, Michigan
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Jodi
Galations 5:22

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