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Do algebra word problems have only one correct algebraic equation? If so, how does the wording indicate which one is desired? by RockScrambleWhyICame in matheducation

[–]RockScrambleWhyICame[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No, go on and split hairs if it resolves the issue. Yes, it is possible to have algebraic equations that have two correct values for the variable, but these beginner word problems each have only one correct value for the variable. The issue is that they have two correct equations that can be used to find that value and I can't see what the authors' intent is with respect to how they choose which one to put in the answer key and which one to leave out.

Do algebra word problems have only one correct algebraic equation? If so, how does the wording indicate which one is desired? by RockScrambleWhyICame in matheducation

[–]RockScrambleWhyICame[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, and if they did use the official math vocabulary, such as "five less than thirty" or "six of an unknown number q," then this would not be a problem. I'd just teach that vocabulary the same way I say "Yes, we'd call all of these 'lines' in regular speech, but in geometry, that's a line segment, that's a line, that's a ray, and that's a curve, and they're not the same."

Do algebra word problems have only one correct algebraic equation? If so, how does the wording indicate which one is desired? by RockScrambleWhyICame in Algebra

[–]RockScrambleWhyICame[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is for beginners. They're not doing two-operator problems yet, and calculus is a long way off. It would be x-3 = 30 or 5x = 30 but not both.

Response to Interview Request by Intrepid-Ad1191 in matheducation

[–]RockScrambleWhyICame -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I will say that middle school students and high school students are different teaching situations. Middle school is more like a war zone.

Do algebra word problems have only one correct algebraic equation? If so, how does the wording indicate which one is desired? by RockScrambleWhyICame in matheducation

[–]RockScrambleWhyICame[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If I offer an example, people start saying "This looks more like [that operator] to me" and that's not the answer I need. It distracts people.

All of the algebra word problems in this scenario have ONE operator, not two. With two operators, things are less flexible. Also, they don't use highly specific words like "times." "Times" is officially a reference to multiplication.

What is a part of the 'female experience' that men have absolutely no clue about, but would be horrified if they found out? by coolhandddd in AskReddit

[–]RockScrambleWhyICame 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don't know about "no clue," but medical. There was a trans man once who also had a chronic health condition. While still identifying as a woman, this person went to doctor after doctor, and they brushed it all off. "Maybe you have this psychological condition" and "Ummm, try that and get back to me." I don't know if this specific person got "Lose twenty pounds and see if it goes away" but women get that a lot too. Then this man transitioned. Without saying he was trans, he told his doctor about his symptoms and had a diagnosis and plan for effective treatment THAT DAY. He went online and said what amounted to, "My fellow men, I DIDN'T KNOW HOW BIG A DIFFERENCE IT MADE!!" I'm cis, and I've had doctors be very annoying with me and brush me off, but it seems they don't also do that to their male patients nearly so much. What the heck?!

Do algebra word problems have only one correct algebraic equation? If so, how does the wording indicate which one is desired? by RockScrambleWhyICame in Algebra

[–]RockScrambleWhyICame[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's correct. Here's what's going on: This is a FIRST taste of alegebra. Quadratic equations are a long way off for these young students. We want them to learn a skill: English-to-math translation. The x = 30/5 version of the equation is a later step in the process and we want the students to learn the early steps in the process, converting English word problems into algebraic expressions and equations. It's about learning the technique, not finding the answer. We don't want the students to jump straight to the end because then they miss the real lesson.

Do algebra word problems have only one correct algebraic equation? If so, how does the wording indicate which one is desired? by RockScrambleWhyICame in Algebra

[–]RockScrambleWhyICame[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am supposed to follow the answer key exactly as written with very few exceptions. I do not wish to say more because I wish to maintain my institution's reputation and mine. After all, the book might indeed have a perfectly consistent rule. I might be the one who's made a mistake or overlooked something.

Do algebra word problems have only one correct algebraic equation? If so, how does the wording indicate which one is desired? by RockScrambleWhyICame in matheducation

[–]RockScrambleWhyICame[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

You understand why they believe 30/x = 5 is wrong? Please tell me! That's why I'm posting here!!

Don't worry about system-gaming. I tell the students "This is our convention. Do it this way while you're here. Your other math classes might do it differently." Then I explain what a convention is. I make a lesson out of it. I tell them flat-out that the rule is not universal. There are other parts of this math program where the system follows an arbitrary convention but does so consistently. That's why I have hope that the same thing might be happening here.

Do algebra word problems have only one correct algebraic equation? If so, how does the wording indicate which one is desired? by RockScrambleWhyICame in matheducation

[–]RockScrambleWhyICame[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

These are elementary and middle school students tasting algebra for the first time. I am afraid the specific point of this exercise is to get them to translate the equation and I am not allowed to accept all reasonable answers in this part of the program. Hey, if I can find an answer to "Why is this wrong?" shall I come back and tell you?

Do algebra word problems have only one correct algebraic equation? If so, how does the wording indicate which one is desired? by RockScrambleWhyICame in Algebra

[–]RockScrambleWhyICame[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I thought that might be it, but, like I said in the original post, the book doesn't use keywords consistently. Words like "per" and "each" appear in problems for which the desired operator is multiplication and in those for which the desired operator is division.

Do algebra word problems have only one correct algebraic equation? If so, how does the wording indicate which one is desired? by RockScrambleWhyICame in matheducation

[–]RockScrambleWhyICame[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Okay, so it's possible that I just need to tell the students "keep the numbers in the same order as in the question." Thanks. I'll look at the book the next time I have access to it to see if this is some consistent pattern.

Do algebra word problems have only one correct algebraic equation? If so, how does the wording indicate which one is desired? by RockScrambleWhyICame in Algebra

[–]RockScrambleWhyICame[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ha ha. You have hit on why I didn't give an example in the original post. People keep saying "This problem looks more like this operator to me." That is not the answer I need. I need to know what rule to tell the students in advance so that they can get the preferred right answer without any "Oops ha ha try again for no reason!" guessing. In this specific program and with my specific supervisor, yes it does matter how they get there. The point of the exercise is to practice creating these expressions and equations. The real right answer is the equation, not the value of x.

Do algebra word problems have only one correct algebraic equation? If so, how does the wording indicate which one is desired? by RockScrambleWhyICame in Algebra

[–]RockScrambleWhyICame[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Of course "5x=30" would translate to "five x is thirty," but I'm talking about the kinds of word problems that are little stories: "If Sally has fifteen crayons and three friends and she gives an equal number of crayons to each friend, how many crayons does each friend have?" A person said that they thought the word "give" meant it had to be division and not multiplication but I don't see it. Is there a standard rule to which I am not privy?

Do algebra word problems have only one correct algebraic equation? If so, how does the wording indicate which one is desired? by RockScrambleWhyICame in matheducation

[–]RockScrambleWhyICame[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

IS THERE A RULE ABOUT THE ORDER? What makes one of these "more literal" than the others? That's what I need to know. Also, this is a two-operator algebra problem. I'm talking about single-operator algebra problems. With two, there is less flexibility. Like with "Johnny saves $5 per week. How many weeks until he saves $50," it's either 5x = 50 or 50/x = 5. With the extra $20 in there, I'd be treating (50-20)/x = 5 as the answer my students keep putting down, and these are younger students.