Bob
Posts:
182
Registered:
12/3/04
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RE: A Quote from Polya
Posted:
Sep 7, 2012 12:02 PM
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It's a nice thought.
But what if a student finishes high school without even the most basic math
knowledge, or just doesn't finish.
Those teenagers are dumped into an unforgiving workplace with little hope.
Polya has nothing for them, nor, apparently, do we.
From: owner-nyselmath@mathforum.org [mailto:owner-nyselmath@mathforum.org]
On Behalf Of Roberta M. Eisenberg
Sent: Friday, September 07, 2012 10:41 AM
To: nyshsmath@mathforum.org; nyselmath@mathforum.org;
nysmsmath@mathforum.org; nyscollmath@mathforum.org
Subject: A Quote from Polya
FYI - Some words of wisdom from the master problem solver. (Known for his
famous book, How to Solve It.)
Bobbi Eisenberg
Pedantry and mastery are opposite attitudes toward rules. To apply a rule to
the letter, rigidly, unquestioningly, in cases where it fits and in cases
where it does not fit, is pedantry ... . To apply a rule with natural ease,
with judgment, noticing the cases where it fits, and without ever letting
the words of the rule obscure the purpose of the action or the opportunities
of the situation, is mastery. -George Polya, professor of mathematics
(1887-1985)
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