5 out of 4 people have trouble with fractions....

[wombat]

Quote:
I was HOPING a few others would see that also....I was lurking.

Refer to "Arrested Intelligence" and ask the question, "What country does the Queen Of England Rule?"

I know that the answer is supposed to be England and it is supposed to be funny because of the word England in the phrase. But the Queen of England doesn't actually rule, does she? She is a figure head. Technically, she doesn't rule anything. Right?

See, that it why those kind of jokes don't work with me. I take them all too literally. And 5 out of 4 is a mixed fraction. 5/4 = 1 1/4. I understand of course that there can not be five out of four people. But whenever my neighbor's son wears a shirt with this same slogan, people laugh and say that 5 out of 4 is not a fraction so that is why it is funny. Um it is funny cause you can't get five people out of four, not because 5/4 isn't a fraction

Really, I have been with him when someone said that.

My father was the math department chairman at his University. My brother and I used to annoy the heck out of him by asking for "the smaller half" of something just to wind him up. That or discussing how you might be able to divide by zero and get infinity at the dinner table.

 

[deb1]

Quote:
I know that the answer is supposed to be England and it is supposed to be funny because of the word England in the phrase. But the Queen of England doesn't actually rule, does she? She is a figure head. Technically, she doesn't rule anything. Right?

See, that it why those kind of jokes don't work with me. I take them all too literally. And 5 out of 4 is a mixed fraction. 5/4 = 1 1/4. I understand of course that there can not be five out of four people. But whenever my neighbor's son wears a shirt with this same slogan, people laugh and say that 5 out of 4 is not a fraction so that is why it is funny. Um it is funny cause you can't get five people out of four, not because 5/4 isn't a fraction

Really, I have been with him when someone said that.

My father was the math department chairman at his University. My brother and I used to annoy the heck out of him by asking for "the smaller half" of something just to wind him up. That or discussing how you might be able to divide by zero and get infinity at the dinner table.

LOL. Nothing like finding the one thing that will drive your parents insane and using it against them.

 

[seismic wonder2]

My Dad would go nutz over "Yea but still..."

 

[Hoosiermomma]

Quote:
The order of operations will prepare him to do algebra later.

I used Singapore math and it teaches algebraic concepts all through its program.

Deb,
How did you like the Singapore math? My kids use Saxon right now and it's good but it just isn't cutting it. With me not being a math whiz either, I can't really help them when they get stuck on something so I am trying to find a program that is a little more thorough and might be a little more interesting. The word math itself conjures up negative images and feelings anyway so it's hard for the kids these days to really get pumped up about learning it. I wish someone would devise something that really explains it in a way that captures the kids attention and maintains it. I want my kids to love math b/c that will follow them wherever they go in life.
You and Wombat need to set up a math tutoring thread on here......lol

 

[deb1]

I have heard that Teaching Textbooks(might have the name wrong?) is very good for parents who are bad at math.

For my family, I really like Singapore. Between my husband and myself, we are able to teach my daughter the subject. But Singapore isn't for everyone. Some of the way that they solve problems can seem confusing.

The Key to books are very good supplemental tools also.

You can get all this from Sonlight's website.

I didn't like Saxon. My kids just got bogged down with that program.

 

[horsejody]

Quote:
I love math. Tell your son that the best way to approach algebra is to look at it as logic puzzles, rather than pure math.

 

[EweSheep]

I didn't do too bad in advanced Alegbra in HS but right now, I can not do any of it unless I sit down and learn it back. I can do some fractions which it helps me of cooking if I want to increase or decrease the amount of my recipes.

My hubby knows his basic math all the way up to division. After that, it is lost on him. Even he is an EMT I am surprised how he can pass the state test without knowing any fractions, conversion from one measurment to another (ml to cc for medications or drugs) and he can not even measure right for welding classes and passed it LOL! He better be glad he got a smart wife to teach him about the measurements and fractions (not working them out) on a ruler.

I am from the old school, so what is Saxon and Sinapore math????????? What are the difference between them?

 

[wombat]

You and Wombat need to set up a math tutoring thread on here......lol

I'm terrible with algebra these days, hardly ever use it. Most of what I do work-wise involves some very basic calculus, and basic calculus is much easier for me than remembering algebra. Algebra seems to be one of those "use it or lose it" skills, at least for me. I don't think you'd want me doing any tutoring on the subject!​

 

[deb1]

Quote:
They are homeschool math programs.

Saxon teaches a concept and then gives a few problems on that concept. The rest of the problems are on concept the kids has previously learned. It is supposed to keep the older concepts fresh. It just aggravated my kids but some children do well on the program.

Singapore is from Singapore. LOL I don't know how to describe it. It is supposed to teach children how to think through the problems. My kids like it but some of the word problems make my brain hurt.

So, it isn't for everyone.

 

[gudrin]

I substitute teach at the middle/high school level. I once was in a math room (I have a license for English). The seventh grade stuff I could get. That was fine, as it was all very liberally explained out. The eighth grade stuff though? Forget it! I could see what they were trying to do, but the ways of teaching math has changed so much since I learned it that I can't teach it. I had the students teach each other that period. There was no other way I could have done it.

Even the seventh grade stuff I wouldn't have done so well with had there not been a para in the room to help through how the stuff should be written. It's tough!

Luckily it was only one day that I was there, and the teacher is absolutely awesome! She's the one I went to when I was in the ninth grade room and couldn't figure out a problem that the kids were having trouble with. She walked me through it step by step so I could teach it as well. Having the answer book is all well and good, but having to explain how to get the answers? Yeah right!