Am I missing something or are we both dumb? Because from where I'm sitting, in a simple two integer addition problem, the order of the integers doesn't affect the answer- therefore both answers are correct.
The answer's right, but the teacher's insisting on a particular process. This makes me want to punch something, if it's true. I can't find any reference to where this happened, and while most of the terminology is British, the US NCTM is quoted. Assuming it's true, the only rationale I can think of here is that it's supposed to reinforce the commutative law: you work out 5 x 3 one way, and 3 x 5 another, and you get the same answer, woohoo. If that's it, it seems one of the worst failings of the "new math" is still around: introducing concepts too early. I suppose I was vaguely aware that 3 x 5 = 5 x 3 after learning my times tables, but I didn't hear about the commutative law until we did a bit of abstract algebra at age 17 or so.
the weird thing is- the commutative law specifically says you can swap integer order, so the teacher is punishing the kid for getting the concept right. It's not like he tried to apply it to subtraction or division, where teaching that order matters would be important.
True. Another big problem with new math was having it taught by people who didn't understand what they were supposed to be teaching. My couple of assignments teaching math education majors suggests they still don't.
I was told there would be no math.
I really hate math, I'm no good at math, and damn it, I have a calculator on my phone.
2 + 3 = 3 + 2!!!!!!!!!!!!!1111111MOTHERFUCKERS!!!!!!!!!!
Am I missing something or are we both dumb? Because from where I'm sitting, in a simple two integer addition problem, the order of the integers doesn't affect the answer- therefore both answers are correct.
The answer's right, but the teacher's insisting on a particular process. This makes me want to punch something, if it's true. I can't find any reference to where this happened, and while most of the terminology is British, the US NCTM is quoted. Assuming it's true, the only rationale I can think of here is that it's supposed to reinforce the commutative law: you work out 5 x 3 one way, and 3 x 5 another, and you get the same answer, woohoo. If that's it, it seems one of the worst failings of the "new math" is still around: introducing concepts too early. I suppose I was vaguely aware that 3 x 5 = 5 x 3 after learning my times tables, but I didn't hear about the commutative law until we did a bit of abstract algebra at age 17 or so.
the weird thing is- the commutative law specifically says you can swap integer order, so the teacher is punishing the kid for getting the concept right. It's not like he tried to apply it to subtraction or division, where teaching that order matters would be important.
True. Another big problem with new math was having it taught by people who didn't understand what they were supposed to be teaching. My couple of assignments teaching math education majors suggests they still don't.
I was told there would be no math.
I really hate math, I'm no good at math, and damn it, I have a calculator on my phone.
5318008
Hee hee!