Talk About Network

Google





Education > Education Miscellaneous > Re: Checking si...
Latest [ Topics | Posts ] Archive Post A New Topic Post a Reply
<< Topic < Post Post 14 of 31 Topic 7022 of 7567
Post > Topic >>

Re: Checking simplified algebraic expressions (the -3 test)

by Pubkeybreaker <pubkeybreaker@[EMAIL PROTECTED] > May 5, 2008 at 04:53 AM

On May 3, 8:57=A0pm, "michalc...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
" <michalc...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> I tutor a lot of algebra and as you know there are three basic types
> of problems that algebra students are given. The ones that say
> "Solve", "Factor" and the ones that say "Simplify".
>
> Solve you check by plugging the answers back in.
>
> Factor you check by multiplying things back together.
>
> Simplify... Well neither my students nor I were ever taught a reliable
> and simple check for simplified expressions. Example "Simplify (x^2
> -1) / (x+1)" this becomes "x-1".

Which, of course, is just wrong.  If  x=3D-1,  then the quotient is
undefined,
but the simplification equals -2.  The correct answer must state this
exception.  Which then begs the question:

Is  (x^2-1)/(x+1)  "simpler"   than   "x-1,   if  x !=3D-1,  and
undefined if x =3D -1"?

I have discussed this issue before. There is no clear canonical
definition of what
makes one algebraic expression "simpler" than another.  Therefore,
from a strict,
well-disciplined mathematical point of view, such questions are
meaningless.
 




 31 Posts in Topic:
Checking simplified algebraic expressions (the -3 test)
"michalchik@[EMAIL P  2008-05-03 17:57:33 
Re: Checking simplified algebraic expressions (the -3 test)
Mensanator <mensanator  2008-05-03 18:32:10 
Re: Checking simplified algebraic expressions (the -3 test)
"michalchik@[EMAIL P  2008-05-03 23:23:45 
Re: Checking simplified algebraic expressions (the -3 test)
Arturo Magidin <magidi  2008-05-03 23:42:37 
Re: Checking simplified algebraic expressions (the -3 test)
Rupert Swarbrick <rswa  2008-05-04 12:32:57 
Re: Checking simplified algebraic expressions (the -3 test)
"michalchik@[EMAIL P  2008-05-04 00:23:14 
Re: Checking simplified algebraic expressions (the -3 test)
Rupert Swarbrick <rswa  2008-05-04 12:37:58 
Re: Checking simplified algebraic expressions (the -3 test)
magidin@[EMAIL PROTECTED]  2008-05-04 18:14:51 
Re: Checking simplified algebraic expressions (the -3 test)
Mensanator <mensanator  2008-05-04 07:57:54 
Re: Checking simplified algebraic expressions (the -3 test)
Bob LeChevalier <lojba  2008-05-04 13:58:49 
Re: Checking simplified algebraic expressions (the -3 test)
"michalchik@[EMAIL P  2008-05-04 21:24:06 
Re: Checking simplified algebraic expressions (the -3 test)
magidin@[EMAIL PROTECTED]  2008-05-05 14:29:23 
Re: Checking simplified algebraic expressions (the -3 test)
"michalchik@[EMAIL P  2008-05-04 21:34:13 
Re: Checking simplified algebraic expressions (the -3 test)
Pubkeybreaker <pubkeyb  2008-05-05 04:53:02 
Re: Checking simplified algebraic expressions (the -3 test)
Bill Dubuque <wgd@[EMA  2008-05-15 01:17:21 
Re: Checking simplified algebraic expressions (the -3 test)
"Dave L. Renfro"  2008-05-05 08:56:34 
Re: Checking simplified algebraic expressions (the -3 test)
Mensanator <mensanator  2008-05-05 10:20:02 
Re: Checking simplified algebraic expressions (the -3 test)
fflittle@[EMAIL PROTECTED  2008-05-05 10:42:52 
Re: Checking simplified algebraic expressions (the -3 test)
Mensanator <mensanator  2008-05-05 11:06:40 
Re: Checking simplified algebraic expressions (the -3 test)
"michalchik@[EMAIL P  2008-05-06 03:33:17 
Re: Checking simplified algebraic expressions (the -3 test)
magidin@[EMAIL PROTECTED]  2008-05-06 13:49:41 
Re: Checking simplified algebraic expressions (the -3 test)
Rupert Swarbrick <rswa  2008-05-06 16:30:09 
Re: Checking simplified algebraic expressions (the -3 test)
"michalchik@[EMAIL P  2008-05-06 03:47:56 
Re: Checking simplified algebraic expressions (the -3 test)
"michalchik@[EMAIL P  2008-05-09 04:03:22 
Re: Checking simplified algebraic expressions (the -3 test)
Pubkeybreaker <pubkeyb  2008-05-15 05:39:05 
Re: Checking simplified algebraic expressions (the -3 test)
Fatal <fatal@[EMAIL PR  2008-05-15 15:09:25 
Re: Checking simplified algebraic expressions (the -3 test)
Bill Dubuque <wgd@[EMA  2008-05-15 13:44:58 
Re: Checking simplified algebraic expressions (the -3 test)
Pubkeybreaker <pubkeyb  2008-05-15 10:46:16 
Re: Checking simplified algebraic expressions (the -3 test)
Bill Dubuque <wgd@[EMA  2008-05-15 14:49:32 
Re: Checking simplified algebraic expressions (the -3 test)
lwalke3@[EMAIL PROTECTED]  2008-05-15 13:58:05 
Re: Checking simplified algebraic expressions (the -3 test)
Pubkeybreaker <pubkeyb  2008-05-16 05:23:22 

Post A Reply:
  Go here to Signup

AddThis Feed Button


About - Advertising - Contact - Frequently Asked Questions - Privacy Policy - Terms of Use - Signup

Contact
localhost-V2008-12-19 Wed Jan 7 22:09:30 PST 2009.