Math evolution

[panic mode]

A friend found this and emailed to me. I think it's worth sharing:

[BobLfoot]

Hilarious if it weren't so true or at least close to true. They told us when computers where first appearing that there would come a generation which could operate computer and would need them to survive, but that could not repair them. I wonder how close we are to that day?

[Bob O]

My nephew is in 8th grade and is having trouble in Algebra, so I was asked if I would tutor him. I said sure but need to see the math book because I am rusty. Come to find out, there is no math book and it is all on the computer. What are they thinking or is it me?

[Ken Moore]

We see the the decline in math skills everytime we interview for a new employee. Seems that students get credit for participation, not results. Every thing is team, team, team. While the team concept has it's place, you end up with no one willing to work alone. And..... They want to get credit/praise for just showing up, just like at school?

[Peter Nachtwey]

You guys don't want to get me started.... well its too late. The math skill of the people that I see on the PLC forums is awful. These skills are as poor as the spelling skills. It is sad that scaling and offsets require a SCP block because people can't remember the algebra they should have learned in 8th or 9th grade. There are too many question about scaling analog cards. I don't see how engineers can call themselves engineers if they can't do calculus and differential equations. I see it all the time.

[andybr]

A few years ago I was presented with a Math's teacher from a local school who was on secondment for industrial experience during her summer holiday. She was astounded to discover that trigonometry was used routinely outside the classroom and could not believe that anybody could need to use calculus once they had finished school. If this is the way the teachers think is it surprising that their pupils struggle. Andybr

[TechJunki]

First of all I agree entirely with the subject of this topic, but I would like to point out that if the tools to make my job easier, are available, why would I not use them??

[Bob O]

Short on time but I thought I would throw this out and check back later. I have searched for an example math placement test to give my nephew who is in 8th grade and have found a few but they are multiple choice test. What are some opinions about having a multiple choice math test? I assume they do this for ease of grading and because they are dealing with a larger group of kids. My opinion is not to give a multiple choice test, show your work and no partial credit. Harda$$ huh.

[Peter Nachtwey]

I am against multiple choice math problems. It is too easy to work the problem forward and backward to check the answers. Math is useless with out the ability to apply it. All math problems should be 'story' problems. Memorizing tricks is not good enough. One should know how to apply them. Partial credit? Do we give Nasa partial credit for crashing probes into mars when they should land?

[Bob O]

Thanks Peter.

[BobLfoot]

I don't know we advance them funding to try again when one fails. Isn't that partial credit for flying that far and being on target.

[Peter Nachtwey]

Why? Because now you know you aren't the only hard a$$? I am the hard a$$ of all hard a$$e$. I admit. I make no apologies. I think I push the bounds with many. However, when you are in the trenches doing battle with a startup I am the hard a$$ would want want. If you only knew what I really thought. I will soon be going out in the field to do a rotary shear that cuts metal. I was told it took 3 months for the other guys to do this project and it still doesn't run as smoothly as the customer thinks it should. I have alloted only one week but I think it will take two days. I am an engineer and don't believe in leaving anything to chance. I am very sure I know why other guys had difficulties. Most of it a lack up understanding of calculus and how their motion controller is limited to using only cam tables for the motion profiles. Yes, a rotary shear requires lots of calculus. Much of the problem was caused because they didn't understand the limitations of their motion controller and the math required for and optimal motion profile for cutting. To do this must know how to differentiate trigonometric functions, the chain rule and the product rule. Simple cam tables will not hack it unless one know how to generate the correct position in the cam tables. I have already done simulations and have written most of the program. If you follow my threads then you know I am a big believer in simulations. This requires lot of math. I can simulate the rotary shear with the information I have. I have already sent the the program to the customer. Using our software we will be able to debug most of the program before I get there over the internet. This should happen next week. Math is a tool and just a tool but without it one can not understand how the world works. I can't understand why people think they are done learning math after they graduate from high school or college. Understanding Math, Calculus and differential equations is a matter of survival in this world. At least it is in mine. That is why I am the hard a$$ so you can relax. You don't even rate on the Peter Meter. :) If you only knew what I really thought.