Mathematics Stack Exchange
Mathematics Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [education]

For math questions related to the teaching and learning of mathematics. Note that Mathematics Educators Stack Exchange may be a better home for narrowly scoped questions on specific issues in mathematics education.

This tag is for questions that are primarily about mathematics, but are related to mathematics education. Also consider using the or the tag. On the other hand, questions that are primarily about teaching and learning mathematics would be a better fit for MathEducators.SE.

3309 questions
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Non-traditional math concepts for early education

I am currently working on source material for a math-related software project with my mother, who has a PhD in Elementary Education and specializes in math education. While she has quite a strong fundamental understanding of the current techniques…
Shaggy Frog
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Difference between PEMDAS and BODMAS.

I didn't get the point that when the PEMDAS and the BODMAS rule are different, then how can they both yeild the same results. I have searched over google but found everywhere that they're the same. Where as I see them as according to the precedency…
Sharjeel Faiq
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"How to solve it" for theory builders?

Gowers has written a paper where he distinguishes between two cultures of mathematics: theory builders and problem solvers. There are many textbooks on "how to solve mathematical problems", or "how to prove things", such as Pólya's books, e.g. this…
user56834
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4 answers

Learning math: still paper and pen

Is it, from an educational perspective, still sound advice to recommend people to use paper/a notebook (of the traditional sort, not the device) and pen/pencil? I wonder if computers are a disadvantage since whatever program you use, it will be…
Quora Feans
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How do you validate that two math expressions are equal?

Let's say you have a few expressions like the following: $$\begin{array}((x+17)^2 \\ x^2 + 34x + 289 \end{array} \\ 288 + \frac{x^2}{2} + \frac{x^2}{2} + 34x + 1 \\ [...] $$ You get the idea: there's an infinite number of ways of representing the…
Alexandr Kurilin
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Too many topics taught in class? Frustrated student in need of advice and encouragement.

Location: New York CUNY (as education systems might be different in other places) I started my life studying philosophy and psychology and then at 22 transitions to computer science. It took me a long time to understand the importance of…
Eugene
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3 answers

Monotonous function or monotonic function

I am from a non-English speaking country. Should we say monotonous function or monotonic function?
Fernando Sampaio dos Aidos
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3 answers

diversity and teaching

I recently attended a discussion about interviewing for math jobs, and apparently a question that is coming up frequently is something like this: "We have a culturally diverse student body. How does having a diverse classroom affect your…
mbsq
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4 answers

How should I grade my students?

Anyone who is interested in my experience as a grader in the past can check this thread. This semester I was assigned a grader for a certain class, which runs two sections. There are two professors, Professor $A$ and Professor $B$. Both of them…
Bombyx mori
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Ceiling and floor functions

What are some real life application of ceiling and floor functions? Googling this shows some trivial applications.
matqkks
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Mathematics Style Guide - l vs 1 vs |

I had a quick look around here and google before, and didn't find any answer to this particular question, and it's beginning to really irritate me now, so I'm asking here: How is one supposed to write l (little L), 1 (one) and | (pipe) so that they…
maximilienwolfgang
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Find smallest number bigger than y that is multiple of x

I can't seem to find an answer for this, as all the topics regarding multiples deal with integers... I need to find the smallest number after x that is multiple of 0.36. For example if x = 3000, what would be the number closest to 3000 that is…
user184270
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What are some deep questions that are applicable to first graders in regards to adding zero?

I'm trying to come up with some math problems (word or otherwise) that get to the meaning of adding zero, but I'm getting stuck because it seems just too simple to me. I have come up with questions like "John is having a birthday party and he…
Jared
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Teaching algebra in a culturally relevant way while fitting Common Core standards

I've been assigning algebra textbook and worksheet problems (from the publishers and my own) that look like this: Simplify the following expressions. $x^{- 3} y^2$ $c^2 d^{-5}$ $\dfrac{x^{-2}}{y^{-4}}$ $\dfrac{5x^2}{y^{-2}}$ I don't feel that my…
alo
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Graduate schools in set theory

What options for graduate schools are there for an aspiring set theorist? In the US, the only top 50 schools with active research in set theory seem to be Berkeley and Carnegie Mellon. Are there any else? Would it be worth it to go to a foreign…
Student
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