Math has been a real struggle for my kids. They don’t just naturally see the patterns in mathematics the way I did at their age. And the dichotomy between school and home isn’t helping. Princess wants help, but she doesn’t want to learn any “shortcuts”. She thinks shortcuts are cheating. I think of shortcuts as a different way of looking at the same calculation. If I could get her to see math from a different direction, I might help her see the patterns I see. But she’s terrified of doing her schoolwork any other way than the teacher’s way... and this year her math teacher is an elderly nun who is a bit, um, set in her ways. So I try to find situations outside of schoolwork to push her in math. I’ve put her in charge of figuring the tip every time we eat at a full-service restaurant. She is to figure 15% and 20% and decide on a round number between them depending on the service. I also consult her when I double recipes or divide portions. So far, it’s helping a bit. Any other tips on teaching will be appreciated.



Abbot and Costello try Math

A mathematician has a formula for finding the best partner. (via Fark)

Some easy math shortcuts everyone should know.

Your odds of winning the Powerball, illustrated with M&Ms. It’s no wonder they call the lottery “a tax on those who are bad at math.”

For some reason, math calculations are never a part of American game shows. This British clip shows how entertaining they can be.

Slide rules are really handy! (via Scribal Terror)

Gesturing Helps Grade School Children Solve Math Problems. I’ve heard it also helps adults release tension while driving.

Radical Math is a resource for educators interested in integrating issues of social and economin injustice into their math classes and curriculum. (via Metafilter)

Impress your friends with mental math tricks. 

Mudd Math Fun Facts, a site of math puzzles and games.

THE HORSE

(via Phil’s Phun)
A farmer had a horse that could understand nearly anything.

The story of the horse spread, and soon scientists showed up to study it.

Sure enough, the horse learned everything that was presented to it, with one exception: geometry.

The scientists were puzzled, but the old farmer knew the problem.

They were putting Descartes before the horse!

WAITRESS

Two mathematicians walk into in a bar.

The first one says to the second that the average person knows very little about basic mathematics.

The second one disagrees, and claims that most people can cope with a reasonable amount of math.

The first mathematician goes off to the washroom, and in his absence the second calls over the waitress.

He tells her that in a few minutes, after his friend has returned, he will call her over and ask her a question. All she has to do is answer "one third x cubed."

She repeats: "one thir -- dex cue?"

He repeats "one third x cubed."

"One thir dex cuebd?"

"Yes, that's right", he says.

So she agrees, and goes off mumbling to herself, "one thir dex cuebd... one thir dex cuebd... one thir dex cuebd..."

The first guy returns and the second proposes a bet to prove his point, that most people do know something about basic math. He says he will ask the blonde waitress an integral, and the first laughingly agrees.

The second man calls over the waitress and asks "What is the integral of x squared?"

The waitress says "one third x cubed" and while walking away, turns back and adds with a wink "...plus a constant."

Thought for today: Theorem: Consider the set of all sets that have never been considered. Hey! They're all gone!! Oh well, never mind ...

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