Math Forum Discussions

Graham Cooper

Posts: 4,495
Registered: 5/20/10

Utility of compound integration...
Posted: Nov 4, 2013 1:13 AM

Plain Text

If walking is algebra, jogging is differentiation, running is integration,
and mathematics is football...

then why are they teaching Kids in high school integration of large
compound formulas with dozens of hyper-sine functions et al?

They're using it as an IQ bell curve system, you don't need to double-integrate
a fourier transform until 2nd year Physics and that's only a few terms.

People would be better at maths by being taught simpler equations
rather than recursive integration by parts and "spotting the pattern"
amid the syntax...

They may as well make a subject out of matching clown faces and
extending that with mustaches and pointy hats ala mensa IQ tests...

Sure if you can manipulate 100 byte equations in your head, it's a good
indicator of memory capacity and University prowess, but 15 year olds
spending 2 years on calculus of large equations just to test the 1% of the class
who can get the final question right... and the topic isn't required
in University. It's a hard problem and a narrow field and most of
the people doing maths courses were scoring 70% in high school maths,
i.e. getting all the huge calculus equations WRONG!

With all these PRIMER COURSES in "Getting Through High School Maths"
maybe shifting the goal posts would be easier... A video demo of
integrating large equations would suffice!

Herc
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