Re: Mixed numbers

"Ian Johnston" <ian.groups@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:dzZo7CxomoOm-pn2-IqoDhT7SIoGR@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> On Mon, 14 Nov 2005 17:12:25 UTC, "Brian Reay" <see@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> wrote:
>
>> The "2c's" x rather than the x should be ingrained- something else
>> that
>> has to be unlearned later.
>
> An interesting one that, because the professional mathematicians I
> know overwhelmingly use a simple 'x'.

Maybe they do, although those I've worked with (both in industry and
teaching) use the 2c's.

However, a professional mathematician is unlikely to "slip in" a x
(multiply) and get confused it for a variable later or confuse a x
(variable) with an operation. In the school environment, confidence in
algebra is still developing and good layout of work (including symbols etc)
can aid that process. Part of learning and teaching is surely to avoid the
pitfalls that impede both?

--
73
Brian, G8OSN
www.g8osn.org.uk


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