This is one of my favorite (and first) math “tutoring” stories. It has a great ending, for me. The biggest fraction of the pizza came my way! Continue Reading →
“Let’s NOT divide the pizza equally” – A Hard Lesson in Fractions
Tag Archives: fractions
The Order of Operations Explained: Multiplication and Division
Last week’s article on the order of operations included a quick mention that division is the same as multiplication – but different. Now’s the time to explain that a bit. Continue Reading →
Why It's Okay to Add Denominators when Adding Fractions
So you think you HAVE to find a common denominator when adding fractions? Well, not really. Especially if you want to inspire kids to really think like a mathematician and do some inventing! Continue Reading →
6 Confusing Terms in Mathematics
Here’s how to understand and explain some of the top confusing terms in mathematics – pain free. Continue Reading →
What’s the Domain, Why You Need It and How You Get It
Finding the domain of a function is slippery and misunderstood. Why do we do it? Why do we need domains anyway? And how do you find the domain? Continue Reading →
Adding Fractions: Why Avoiding Common Denominators Works
I wrote this post showing that adding fractions can be done using the algebraic definition of addition of rationals: MathHeadInc (via twitter) has requested a video showing why this works. I aim to please. Here is the video showing why adding fractions using a common denominator is the same as the definition of addition of… Continue Reading →
How to Never Find a Common Denominator Again
Do you keep struggling to teach common denominators? Do your kids just not “get it”? Well, it’s time to quit. Yep! You can teach (and do) fractions without ever finding a common denominator. The key is in the definition of addition for rational numbers. If you have two numbers and the sum of them is . Granted… Continue Reading →
How to Use Prime Factors to Cancel Fractions
I previously posted about prime factors and about using them in multiplication. Now we’ve got fractions to handle. Before we get in too deep, first let me note the main reason why we do this with arithmetic. In algebra, students will be asked to take a rational expression, factor it and reduce it like this:… Continue Reading →
How and When You Can Manipulate Square Roots
Radicals are part of the multiplication world. They have the same properties, but because they look weird – living in little “houses” – it is hard to grasp what they can do. Here is how to manipulate and use them. Continue Reading →
What the Heck Is the Zero Product Rule?
If two things multiply to get zero, one or both of them better be zero. But does this work with any number? And what’s going on with it anyway? Continue Reading →