Restructuring the Math Pyramid?

By Matt, on July 22nd, 2009%

A friend recently shared with me the following video from TED (see below). In it, mathematician (or, in this case, mathemagician) Arthur Benjamin gives a brief argument for eliminating calculus as the top of the “mathematical pyramid” in high school education, and replacing it probability and statistics. The main reason for this shift is . . . → Read More: Restructuring the Math Pyramid?

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Math in the Movies: Revolutionary Road

By Matt, on July 17th, 2009%

This past week I watched Revolutionary Road, the Oscar nominated 2008 film directed by Sam Mendes. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet as a highly dysfunctional couple named the Wheelers, who live in 1950s suburban Connecticut. For those of you who may not have seen this feel-good picture, here’s a trailer:

The trailer . . . → Read More: Math in the Movies: Revolutionary Road

2 comments   Math in the Movies    

Math Gets Around: On Birthdays and Trading Cards

By Matt, on July 9th, 2009%

Today marks the 1 year anniversary of Math Goes Pop! I started on somewhat of a whim after reading an article about compulsory Algebra I education for all California 8th graders (although what with our finances down the toilet, who knows what the current status is here). When I started writing I wasn’t sure . . . → Read More: Math Gets Around: On Birthdays and Trading Cards

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USA Today, you are also on my list

By Matt, on July 8th, 2009%

It bothered me when USA Today, in an article celebrating “math holidays” centered on the numerology of certain dates, linked to a post I had written about how these holidays are stupid, without even mentioning my contrary opinion. However, I was willing to let it slide, since I was able to say that I was . . . → Read More: USA Today, you are also on my list

One comment   Holidays    

Ron Gordon, you are on my list

By Matt, on July 5th, 2009%

Not this again. I’ve now discovered that the mastermind behind these so-called math “holidays” is a teacher named Ron Gordon. Not only was he the one to spearhead the Odd Day initiative 2 months ago, but he’s gone so far as to double dip and call today Odd Day as well, citing the fact . . . → Read More: Ron Gordon, you are on my list

2 comments   Holidays    

Decimal Point Fail, Ctd

By Matt, on July 2nd, 2009%

I apologize for my silence over the past few weeks – I have been out of the country learning math and eating pancakes. While I get back into the swing of things, I’ve got a couple of points to mention that relate to earlier posts regarding our collective inability to correctly use the decimal point.

The . . . → Read More: Decimal Point Fail, Ctd

2 comments   Math Fail   , ,