[Phys-L] Re: student mathematical capability

[John Clement <clement@HAL-PC.ORG>]

The problem is that most of them are concrete operational so they can not
understand algebra, especially 3 variable equations.  Until their ability to
think is raised, it is a fruitless task.

John M. Clement
Houston, TX


> I think the point is that many students do not even consider that math
> should "make sense".  To them, math is a bunch of rules to follow.  For
> example, many years I had the opportunity to observe an 8th-grade
> algebra class.  Many students had so much trouble memorizing all of the
> rules, they could no longer subtract two numbers (like "4-2"; they would
> say it equaled 6).  Now I am teaching juniors majoring in life science
> areas and I'd say a significant number will solve (x=at) for t by
> multiplying the left side by a or subtracting a from the left side
> "because that is just the way it is done".  Asking them why that should
> work produces a look as though you were from another planet - it just
> never occurred to them that the "rules" are supposed to make sense.
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