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A comment on Lessons I Wish I Had Learned Before Teaching Differential Equations (1997) [pdf]. Parent comment

Re:Lessons I Wish I Had Learned Before Teaching Differential... by abecedarius on Monday September 04, 2017 @01:33PM (#15169633)
OK, but the algebra of complex numbers is so much easier than trig -- less to memorize -- that I think it must be inertia that's keeping our trig courses around, not inherently better pedagogy. Has anyone tried teaching this way in high school or middle school?
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Re:Lessons I Wish I Had Learned Before Teaching Differential... by BeetleB on Monday September 04, 2017 @02:49PM (#15170128)
>OK, but the algebra of complex numbers is so much easier than trig -- less to memorize -- that I think it must be inertia that's keeping our trig courses around, not inherently better pedagogy.

Let's not forget the geometric aspect of trigonometry, which will be more intuitive to many than complex numbers. I have a force of 10N applied at an angle of 32 degrees. I need the x-component. You still need basic trigonometry.

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Re:Lessons I Wish I Had Learned Before Teaching Differential... by abecedarius on Monday September 04, 2017 @08:00PM (#15171592)
Yes, you need to tie the algebra to the geometry. I had a friend taking a trig class, and when I showed him how all those trig identities just fall out of multiplying complex numbers, he was pissed.
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