Re: Calculators

[James Mackey <jmackey@HARDING.EDU>]

My exams are almost always symbolic solution problems so calculators are of
little use. There are used for some homework and extensively in lab.  Some of
my students thoroughly understand the math they do, while others are have no
clue about the math operations they do with their calculator.  This doesn't
seem to have changed a lot over the last 20 years other than the types of
operations that can be done now on modern calculators.
James Mackey

Bernard Cleyet wrote:

> Perhaps the problems written would be solved (ameliorated?) with exercises
> in plotting the functions, of which those calculators are capable.
>
> bc
>
> "John S. Denker" wrote:
>
> > > FOUAD AJAMI wrote:
> > >
> > > Is there any calculator that will give the two values of inverse
> > > trigonometric functions?
> >
> > Are you sure you want to say "two values"?
> >  In the sense that sqrt() has two values,
> >  I suspect that arcsin() has somewhat more than two values.
> >
> > > On the other hand, students should know how to calculate these things.
> >
> > I would think so.
> >
> > If they understand the principles, then _any_ calculator
> > will easily yield the required values.
> >
> > If they don't understand the principles, there is nothing
> > any calculator can do that will improve the situation much.
> >
> > > However, it seems that I am spending a lot of time explaining simple
> > > trigonometric principles in connection with a course in waves.
> > > Same kind of arguments as when we moved from slide rules to
> > > calculators in the 70's.?
> >
> > My grandfather used to say "it's a poor workman who blames his tools."