Re: [MATHEDCC] Why simplify fractions?
Sandy Spears (sspears@pop.jcc.uky.edu)
Tue, 7 Oct 1997 17:05:02 -0400
Jack-Well said!
>>
>
>Well, "simplified form" is the mathematical equivalent to "proper
>grammar" in a natural language. To the extent that people communicate
>well without it, "it" is not needed in the curriculum.
>
>Of course, this varies with the portion of the curriculum being
>discussed. In the case of fractions, "simplified form" often improves
>communication. (In most settings, saying "forty-eight sixty-fourths"
>instead of "three fourths" is not as clear, and might be a little rude
>-- unless the specific culture is based on sixty-fourths.) In the case
>of radicals, I have not come up with any situation in which "simplified
>form" improves communication in a significant manner. In other
>situations, such as polynomials, simplifying is basic to good
>communication.
>
>Based on this reasoning, I see merit in covering "simplified form" for
>fractions -- though I don't think we need to be extremely picky about
>always using it. In the case of radicals, very little on "simplified
>form" is needed for good communication, so very little should be covered
>(based on this reasoning). For polynomials, we should be more demanding
>about simplified form.
>
>(Hopefully it's obvious, but I'll say it anyway: The curriculum can not
>be built on one factor -- such as "good communication". A rich
>curriculum deals with several factors, including understanding -- and
>mathematical beauty -- as well as application, and other factors.)
>
>Isn't amazing how such a brief note results in some of us becoming
>long-winded??
>Jack
>--
> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< from >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
> Jack Rotman phone (517)483-1079
> Math Professor ROTMAN@ALPHA.LANSING.CC.MI.US
> Lansing Community College Lansing, MI
> "Like all art & science, mathematics surrounds us."
> <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Math Success ! >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
> dept web page http://www.lansing.cc.mi.us/sas/mathsci
Sandy Spears
Jefferson Community College
Louisville, KY 40202
sspears@pop.jcc.uky.edu
502-584-0181, ext. 2269
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