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Topic: Factoring


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Subject:   RE: Factoring
Author: db
Date: Nov 3 2006
On Nov  3 2006, John Mac wrote:
> Why do we teach our kids to factor?

What possible application is
> there?

What is the value in knowing:

A^3 + B^3  = (A + B)(A^2^
> - AB + B^2^)?

We complain that our kids are math illiterate, then
> we insist on teaching them nonsense.

John MAC

Dear John MAC

I find factoring useful when I try to show students the effects of linearity in
parabolic behaviors.  I only teach applied algebra to my lower-level algebra
students but it seems to help them to understand quadratic behavior in terms of
linear behavior, with which they are very familiar.

debbie
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