Comments on: Beyonce And I Fail Division

By: My Tiny Kingdom » The Math Geeks And Me

My Tiny Kingdom » The Math Geeks And Me — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 02:02:46 +0000

[...] Math Geeks are a tough crowd. Several weeks ago I submitted my post Beyonce and I Fail Division to a couple of sites that were publishing articles about mathematics. I thought the mathematicians [...]

By: Spam, spam, spam, egg, spam, spam, and …math? « Continuities

Spam, spam, spam, egg, spam, spam, and …math? « Continuities — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 19:00:43 +0000

[...] This submission just reinforced my belief that we need a meaningful math curriculum. Posted in Carnival. [...]

By: Carnival of Math 19 - spammy edition « JD2718

Carnival of Math 19 - spammy edition « JD2718 — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 16:50:37 +0000

[...] We end up with a short carnival with a bizarre theme. But, the range is great - from long division to research level stuff, and a bit in the middle. Don’t miss part 2 of Dave Marain’s [...]

By: Jessica

Jessica — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 03:02:26 +0000

There are a lot of math problems where I tell my son you have to be fair to both sides. You can’t leave the other guy out. Last year in 6th grade I was reviewing with him for a chapter test in decimals. When I told him how to move the decimal, he said “oh, that’s where they were getting it.” He didn’t want to ask the teacher and get a long lecture. Also, Parent of the Year I am didn’t believe he couldn’t see the board until April when I finally took him to the eye doctor. Be Fair to both sides. Equal. They do Algera too early now and have to have another math that I did not even take in high school to get an Advanced Academic.

By: Laura

Laura — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 00:33:40 +0000

OMG - now you’ve got me thinkng of that Beyonce song AND the Jazzercise routine that goes with it…thanks bunches!

It is INSANE, isn’t it? I remember hating long division when I did it. That’s why I teach English.

Oh, and I think you only move the decimal inside the hut the same number of spaces that you move the one outside the hut. Still, though, it’s a disgustingly large number.

By: Cassie

Cassie — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 17:44:04 +0000

Division doesn’t bother me, it’s geometry. I flunked it in high school. I begged the teacher to transfer me out, and he promised me he would make sure I’d pass. Lo and behold I flunked, I can handle anything, but geometry.

I think……………….

By: cardiogirl

cardiogirl — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 14:00:32 +0000

Okay, I was with you on the hut, and I thought I remembered moving the decimals over to the right. But I didn’t realize you had to move them twice, just once I thought for the number on the left (to the left, to the left).

Bottom line is that I am sh!tting my pants and my oldest kid is only in second grade.

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 13:17:38 +0000

Great post! I would be okay helping my son with his math if it was the kind of math I actually learned myself. They don’t “put down the four anjd carry the one”, they “regroup the tens”. Huh? I end up explaining it all wrong! And like another commenter said, they don’t add from right to left, they add all the tens, then all the ones, etc. It makes no sense!

Long division actually makes sense to me, but when my kids take algebra? Where they have to solve for X and Y and whatever? I’m hiring a tutor.

By: Mamaluv

Mamaluv — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 04:06:53 +0000

The math geek in me was very happy to read today’s post, and I see I’m not alone in that sentiment! I’d rather slog through long division than butcher French verbs and attempt to clarify the politically correct Sex Ed doublespeak when the time comes. Now there’s something Beyonce could sing about!

By: Holly

Holly — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 23:50:44 +0000

I teach high school chemistry and when I teach conversions within the metric system (just moving the decimal x number of places) I make my entire class sing along to Beyonce!