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[Phys-L] physics with and/or without calculators



On 12/19/2013 08:35 AM, Anthony Lapinski wrote:
Over the years I have thought about teaching physics without a calculator.
I could
essentially make up math problems where the numbers would come out as
simple,
non-repeating decimals.

You can split the difference. Assign some problems like that,
along with some where calculators are allowed.

===========

Funny story: Once upon a time the chemistry class allowed students
to use calculators only after they demonstrated competence doing
basic math by hand. One smart but slightly scatterbrained student
flunked the basic test. She came to me for help. I said calculator,
shmalculator, you don't need a calculator for HS chemistry. I taught
her the tricks for doing arithmetic fast without a calculator, up to
and including square roots. She would have been allowed to re-take
the basic math test to get permission to use a calculator, but she
never bothered, because -- after a modest amount of practice -- doing
calculations in her head was faster than reaching for the calculator.

In addition, sometimes (albeit not always) thinking about the
numbers helps develop insight about the nature of the problem.