Re: down with fractions

[bonnie.blustein@att.net]

If you scrap long division in arithmetic, what would you do when it comes to polynomial division (especially the problems that can't be done with synthetic division)?  Scrap that, too? 
-------------- Original message from Jen K <jenniferknudsen@mac.com>: -------------- 


> In rational expressions, the fraction "bar" can be thought of as 
> division. In fact, that's what we want. Sttudent's misconceptions 
> about fractions developed in elementary school actually interfere 
> with "seeing" the division. 
> Still I wouldn't throw out fractions entirely. They are good for 
> precision (not lopping off decimal places) and also for estimating 
> and visualizing. But should kids spend a week adding fractions like 
> 13/17 + 2/5? NOOOOO! 
> Long division and square roots, I am with the professor on those. 
> Teaching those is sort of like teaching how to add using Roman 
> numerals instead of base 10 numbers.. It's a pain and better done 
> with a newer "technology". 
> 
> That's my view on it. Fun to get some math talk on this list! 
> Jennifer 
> On Feb 1, 2008, at 5:04 PM, bonnie.blustein@att.net wrote: 
> 
> > Does this also mean no rational expressions, rational functions, 
> > etc until "calculus"? That doesn't seem right. 
> > 
> > -------------- Original message from Susan Harman 
> > : -------------- 
> > 
> > 
> >> Ive been arguing this for years! 
> >> 
> >> Math professor's book will argue against teaching fractions, long 
> >> division. 
> >> 
> >> USA Today (1/24, 11D, Milford) reports, "A few years ago, Dennis 
> >> DeTurck, an 
> >> award-winning professor of mathematics at the University of 
> >> Pennsylvania, 
> >> stood at an outdoor podium on campus and proclaimed, 'Down with 
> >> fractions!'" 
> >> DeTurck, in a contribution to a 60-second lecture series, argued that 
> >> fractions were "useful for by-hand calculation. But in this 
> >> digital age, 
> >> they're as obsolete as Roman numerals are." The speech was posted 
> >> online, 
> >> triggering a "firestorm" of discussion among educators. Now, 
> >> DeTurck is 
> >> scheduled to publish a book that argues for "the teaching of 
> >> decimals over 
> >> fractions to elementary school students." He also criticizes "long 
> >> division, 
> >> the calculation of square roots and by-hand multiplication of long 
> >> numbers." 
> >> DeTurck argues that "the study of fractions should be delayed 
> >> until it can be 
> >> understood, perhaps after a student learns calculus." 
> >> 
> >> Vote in the National Cheney Impeachment Poll 
> >> 
> >> http://www.usalone.com/blogvoices.php?Cheney%20Impeachment%3F 
> >> 
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