Linus’s explanation is perfectly clear to a mathematical thinker. The problem is, most people are mathematally illerate, I.e. those who play the lottery expecting to win.
A story from college. Day one of Calculus II. The professor walks into the class and first thing, draws a large 3 on the blackboard. Asks the class, “Can anyone tell me what this is?” Many people shout out “3”. I’m thinking, “Too obvious.” The professor says, “No, it’s a chalk scribble that is a representation of the concept of 3.” Very cool start to what was an excellent class.
Yup! My thing is languages, literature, poetry and like that. School was a nightmare. They could explain and show and show and explain, and I might understand it for a few minutes but the next day it was gone. The one day I “got” a lesson and finished the worksheet first (in 8th grade) the teacher accused me of cheating. How I could “cheat” and yet be the first to finish, she never explained. How can you “copy” or “cheat” when no one else has got it done?
I went to elementary school in the early 70s, never encountered ‘new math.’ Perhaps my district choose not to implement it. Until this story arc, I actually did not think there was really a ‘new math’, that it was just shomething made up on sit-coms for humor. I’ve always liked math, took every course I could in HS, perhaps I’ll check it out, sounds interesting.
The#1BoiseStateFan about 12 years ago
No wonder she’ll fail.
pouncingtiger about 12 years ago
Sally is blond after all.
orinoco womble about 12 years ago
Relabelling something doesn’t help you understand it, it just confuses things.
Dean8 about 12 years ago
They must be in the central time zone
William Reynolds about 12 years ago
Linus’s explanation is perfectly clear to a mathematical thinker. The problem is, most people are mathematally illerate, I.e. those who play the lottery expecting to win.
GROG Premium Member about 12 years ago
I shudder when I hear that some people’s majors were in math & statistics. I worked with a guy who actually liked doing calculus problems.
Number Three about 12 years ago
That distraction was perfect timing, Sally!
xxx
bwalk7217 Premium Member about 12 years ago
If you want to be expressive use New Math, if you want your answers to be correct, and, most importantly, understood, use old math.
mike_slmi about 12 years ago
She makes a good point. His instructions are a bit long.
Rise22 about 12 years ago
Math is static – to try and make it “new” only makes it more difficult to learn…
ComicRelief about 12 years ago
Linus is explaining it well. New math was indeed set theory. And it was a disaster; horrible idea for elementary education.
WaitingMan about 12 years ago
A story from college. Day one of Calculus II. The professor walks into the class and first thing, draws a large 3 on the blackboard. Asks the class, “Can anyone tell me what this is?” Many people shout out “3”. I’m thinking, “Too obvious.” The professor says, “No, it’s a chalk scribble that is a representation of the concept of 3.” Very cool start to what was an excellent class.
angusdad about 12 years ago
The strip today brought back all those old anxieties of new math..
starbase502 about 12 years ago
Charles Schulz, the prophet.
bgby4884 about 12 years ago
The answer is red.
orinoco womble about 12 years ago
Yup! My thing is languages, literature, poetry and like that. School was a nightmare. They could explain and show and show and explain, and I might understand it for a few minutes but the next day it was gone. The one day I “got” a lesson and finished the worksheet first (in 8th grade) the teacher accused me of cheating. How I could “cheat” and yet be the first to finish, she never explained. How can you “copy” or “cheat” when no one else has got it done?
Squirrelchaser about 12 years ago
I went to elementary school in the early 70s, never encountered ‘new math.’ Perhaps my district choose not to implement it. Until this story arc, I actually did not think there was really a ‘new math’, that it was just shomething made up on sit-coms for humor. I’ve always liked math, took every course I could in HS, perhaps I’ll check it out, sounds interesting.
Buggerlugs about 12 years ago
How much is 2+2 in new math?
iced tea about 12 years ago
This was how it was helping my older son with his homework. He had A.D.D.
cookies333 about 12 years ago
Math isn’t my thing either. : )
JP Steve Premium Member about 12 years ago
New Math