Bev
> Date: Mon, 06 Oct 1997 16:41:43 -0900
> From: Richard Kern <canaar@igc.apc.org>
> To: "mathedcc@archives.math.utk.edu" <mathedcc@archives.math.utk.edu>
> Subject: [MATHEDCC] tithing and abaci
> Reply-to: Richard Kern <canaar@igc.apc.org>
> thank you Phil for the great Feynman anecdote. in examining my own
> daily use of mathematics, i find that i use rational approximation
> techniques to a far greater degree than i use exact answers for almost
> all decision making. as he indicates, it is far quicker to approximate
> mentally in the initial stages of decision making than searching for
> exactitude which may end up being a waste of time due to excessive cost
> or any other variable pertinent to the decision. this ability gives me
> a significant edge over my colleagues in board meetings, negotiations or
> other talk intensive situations where the ability to think on the fly is
> a necessity. for these reasons, i have a difficult time being patient
> while reading posts from math teachers who question the value of
> factorization, simplification, addition of fractions, memorization of
> "important numbers" divisibility rules or any of the other
> arithmetic/number theory items that have been questioned regarding the
> efficacy of continuing instruction when a calculator is available. i am
> often frustrated with colleagues who require a calculator to approximate
> an answer when all that's required is an approximation. the ability to
> solve arithmetic expressions mentally can and should be taught in
> conjunction with estimation skills throughout the entire k-12 math
> curriculum. these mental calculation skills are unteachable in the
> absence of a knowledge of fractions, distributive property and some,
> "gasp" memorized numbers.
> richard kern
> napaskiak
>
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Beverly R. Broomell Voice: (516)451-4732 or 4270
Professor FAX: (516)451-4796
Mathematics Department
Suffolk County Community College
533 College Road
Selden NY 11784
http://www.sunysuffolk.edu/~broomeb/
The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn. -Alvi
n Toffler
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