Re: Setting up problems

[Bernard Cleyet <anngeorg@PACBELL.NET>]

"but I don't really remember where I
learned it."


Maybe because you were given many "word" problems in algebra in middle school, a long time ago.  A "proper" algebra course includes many physical principles (s=vt, conservation of fluid <filling a tank while it's leaking, etc.>).  Teaching more advanced physical principles in an intro. Physics course without the students already having solved dozens (at least a hundred!) of simple "word" problems is too much to ask of Physics teachers.

bc


Tim O'Donnell wrote:

> > Is there some way to teach students how to read a word
> > problem and then set it up so that they can then apply the
> > math to it?  I don't remember how I learned this, but I (and
> > all my colleagues) seem to be rather good at this.
>
> If someone has the magic formula I haven't found it. I too
> can set up problems, but I don't really remember where I
> learned it. I probably just did what the teacher showed
> me to do and didn't look for the shortcut and over the
> years I have just developed the ability.
>
> Tim O'Donnell
> Celina High School
> odonnt@celina.k12.oh.us