World rankings on Reading, Math and Science

Discussion in 'The Lounge' started by ab289, Dec 8, 2010.

  1. Here's another scenario that your statement implies:

    "Knowing grammar is a waste of time. There is Microsoft Word auto-correction for a reason."

    Does that make sense?



    The reason why calculators exist for your luxury, is due to the fact that it was developed by individuals who are adept at calculating in their heads, but require a faster processor to calculate harder calculations. They didn't develop a calculator for the purpose of luxury, they developed it for the purpose of aid, for harder calculations. At the time, they expected the average educated individual to know how to calculate simple calculations in their heads.

    Also, your time tables should already be second nature to you. There is no memorizing required. You just know it. The extra "space" your brain requires to know the time-tables is minimalistic.
     
  2. cailini

    cailini Well-Known Member

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    I can do arithmetic if I have a pencil and paper, but it's just a waste of time to figure out that way. I understand how adding and subtracting and multiplying and dividing works, it's just I feel like it's a waste of time to do it all by hand...

    Arithmetic isn't beyond me, I just find it a waste of time... I use the calculator to do simple arithmetic for me, but my head for problem solving and thinking about larger concepts. I honestly find memorizing your times table is ridiculous...
    I can do higher level math (especially if I have the aid of a calculator to fill in for all those times tables I never remembered), but simple math I just find tedious.

    You are all completely missing the point. I believe that it's the process and method that's important. Being able to memorize how x and y give you z is dumb. What you need to know is why they give you z. You need to be able to work that out. Of course I know what goes behind arithmetic and can do it if I have to (it just takes me a while and I have to write everything down and figure it out: I don't just recall it). It would be a waste of my time to have to do this, though. Calculators are, therefore, really handy.

    I never learned my times tables and I got an A in calculus my first year in college...
    I know how to do math...
    I know how to conceptualized and problem solve.
    I don't feel like memorizing numbers qualifies as math and I feel like that's what calculators are for.
     
  3. ab289

    ab289 Well-Known Member

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    Look dude ... as desperate as you try to convince fellow popularasians community that you know math; your argument is just senseless. If you can't do simple math like 2*3 without a calculator, I can't imagine you doing anything harder than that. And like I said before, why bother learning anything? you can even go to google and type in 2*3 and when you hit enter, it'll even give you the answer! But don't bother looking for a calculator or open Google ... 2*3 is 6.
     
  4. negiqboyz

    negiqboyz Well-Known Member

    HUHHHH .. the professor let you use calculator for calculus? I remember using calculator for graphing and stuffs but when it comes to exam .. nada ..even with graphing .. no calculator on tests. I questioned whether you actually took calculus; let alone earning an A in the class.

    Not knowing how to add, subtract, multiply and divide (very basics) stuffs in your head is simply unacceptable for any junior high graduates. How are you going to calculate discount at the store? tip at the restaurant? cost of gas for a road trip?? you don't and shouldn't need a calculator or paper and pencil for such simple math.
     
  5. cailini

    cailini Well-Known Member

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    I can do arithmetic, it just takes me time if I have to do it by hand and it takes me even longer if I have o do it by hand.
    Also, it's important to learn the skill sets behind doing math any kind of math, not how to rattle off a bunch of numbers.
    Calculators are there so that you don't have to rattle off numbers that you've memorized.
    Let my try to explain it better...
    It's like taking an introductory course in college or university. In the introductory courses you tend to have to memorize terms. I'm good at applying the terms to broader applications and theories, formulating my own connections, and thinking about the material in different ways. It's just that I'd have a hard time memorizing the names for the millions of terms.
    Does that make more sense?
    Yes, we were able to use simple calculators (not graphing calculators). For slope fields in differential equations, which we covered only briefly and not very much in depth in my Calc II class, the professor was a bit more lenient.






    Some people's minds work differently.
    For me, I get tripped over the simple stuff.
    Give me theory and abstractions, though, and I'll be very happy.
     
  6. negiqboyz

    negiqboyz Well-Known Member

    ^ Sry buddy .. not convincing enough. I am in engineering and let me tell you .. calculator was never allow in class or exam time .. not even simple one. If like you said, you can do it on paper but longer .. how much time do you have at an exam? not the entire day even if your prof is lenient.
     
  7. cailini

    cailini Well-Known Member

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    Believe me or don't.
    Whatever.