Do the math: too much calculus? (2012)

Re:Do the math: too much calculus? (2012) by abakker on Wednesday October 19, 2016 @05:21PM (#12747789)

Sample size of one: I think I understand calculus, the needs of calculus, and how it is profoundly meaning to understanding things around me. Can I do calculus? no. I couldn't do calculus because I really couldn't do algebra. I think that if I had been taught the concept and relevance of calculus earlier, and only had to worry about the execution of calculus later, I would have been much better off.

understanding what derivatives and integrals and trig functions mean should come before we are forced to execute their use, or learn proofs, or even really go beyond basic notation.

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Re:Do the math: too much calculus? (2012) by yequalsx on Wednesday October 19, 2016 @05:34PM (#12747892)

I'm skeptical that a person can really understand why x^(2/3) is not differentiable at x=0 but has an absolute minimum at x=0 without understanding the algebra. I think one can get an idea of the concepts without knowing algebra but I doubt one can understand calculus without knowing algebra.

We always teach the meaning of a given mathematical concept before doing using them or doing calculations. It's just that true understanding comes from the doing the calculation part.

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Re:Do the math: too much calculus? (2012) by rconti on Wednesday October 19, 2016 @05:36PM (#12747915)

Not the parent, but I had the same problem. I understood that kind of algebra but could never figure out how to simplify things well, which hamstrung me in Calculus. Also, they never bothered to explain the purpose of any of the equations in calculus.

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