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skjudah

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41

Sunday, May 12th 2013, 6:21pm

I find it so interesting to read this thread and it just proves my theory how our education system has failed badly. I am much older than most on this forum and when I went to school all math problems were started with word problems. You were given a scenario and then shown how to solve using math (problems became harder as you progressed to calc). Part of the solution was to figure out how to write the math problem with all parentheses and then to show "proof". Your grade was determined if your solution was viable. If someone had written that formula they would have received an "f" for sure.

Today kids just do not see how math is entertwined into real life scenarios. No wonder we have bridges that fail, buildings that collapse, etc... Our only hope are kids from asian countries who are still taught the right way.

42

Sunday, May 12th 2013, 8:27pm

Quoted from "skjudah;600774"

I find it so interesting to read this thread and it just proves my theory how our education system has failed badly. I am much older than most on this forum and when I went to school all math problems were started with word problems. You were given a scenario and then shown how to solve using math (problems became harder as you progressed to calc). Part of the solution was to figure out how to write the math problem with all parentheses and then to show "proof". Your grade was determined if your solution was viable. If someone had written that formula they would have received an "f" for sure.

Today kids just do not see how math is entertwined into real life scenarios. No wonder we have bridges that fail, buildings that collapse, etc... Our only hope are kids from asian countries who are still taught the right way.


I'm with you man, and as someone who uses math in real world situations as you've said, that's why I keep saying the expression should have been written better.

Don't worry though, I've never seen anyone in the real world write an expression that looks like that.
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ghostwolf82

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Monday, May 13th 2013, 2:57am

To counter your argument skjudah, I present the following: Physics.

I'm pretty sure I have never been to a physics class where a teacher has ever given a word problem.

skjudah

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Monday, May 13th 2013, 7:16am

Hmm really your teacher did not present some word problem and then the solution through math? Well lets see if any of these really easy physics topics ring any bells?

Momentum and Its Conservation

The impulse-momentum change theorem and the law of conservation of momentum are introduced, explained and applied to the analysis of collisions of objects.

Work, Energy, and Power


Concepts of work, kinetic energy and potential energy are discussed; these concepts are combined with the work-energy theorem to provide a convenient means of analyzing an object or system of objects moving between an initial and final state.

Circular Motion and Satellite Motion


Newton's laws of motion and kinematic principles are applied to describe and explain the motion of objects moving in circles; specific applications are made to roller coasters and athletics. Newton's Universal Law of Gravitation is then presented and utilized to explain the circular and elliptical motion of planets and satellites.

Thermal Physics


The distinction between heat and temperature is thoroughly explained. Methods of heat transfer are explained. The mathematics associated with temperature changes and phase changes is discussed; its application to the science of calorimetry is presented.

Static Electricity


Basic principles of electrostatics are introduced in order to explain how objects become charged and to describe the effect of those charges on other objects in the neighboring surroundings. Charging methods, electric field lines and the importance of lightning rods on homes are among the topics discussed in this unit.

Current Electricity


The flow of charge through electric circuits is discussed in detail. The variables which cause and hinder the rate of charge flow are explained and the mathematical application of electrical principles to series, parallel and combination circuits is presented.

Each of these are real life word problems with associated math calculations to solve. But i am quessing you missed the days these were taught - prolly skipping school to walk through a field of tulips.

ghostwolf82

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Monday, May 13th 2013, 8:15am

All of your links are 404 pages. So I can't tell if those are actually "word" problems, or lectures with the problem presented at the end, or half-assed explanations from you with a broken link added to make yourself seem right...

Also, back to those confused about the original problem in this thread...

We are given:

6÷2(1+2)

There is no problem, even though far too many people try to make it a "problem."

Using the standard accepted order of operations (PEMDAS), we work within the parentheses first:

6÷2(3)

Next, we do the multiplication/division from left to right:

6÷2(3) = 3(3) = 9

And we are done. The only way to force the multiplication to come first would be to write:

6÷(2(1+2)) = 6÷(2(3)) = 6÷6 = 1


This is why I have repeatedly said there is no such thing as implied parenthesis. If I wanted you to get 1 as the answer, I would have done so using explicit parenthesis.