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Foreword
Correction: The date 1976 in the printed version of
this book should be 1979.
The physicist Richard Feynman (1918-1988) gave three public lectures at
McGill University in 1976. (correction 1979). His work on physics has been followed by many
scientists and students.
In the lectures, partly tongue-in-cheek, he suggested that physics was based
on two easily described operations, namely the addition and multiplication of
arrows in the plane. His description of arrow addition and multiplication for a
general, non-mathematical audience was a model for the informal, very visual,
most adequate, presentation of mathematical ideas. But he gave it under the
guise of describing physics. And he avoided panic among the mathematically shy
by not saying that the arrows, with their addition and multiplication, represent
what pure and applied mathematicians (since Gauss) regard as the complex
numbers.
No mastery of the algebraic way of writing and thinking was required to
understand his live description of addition and multiplication.
When I attended Feynman‘s lectures, I thought his description of arrows in
the plane could be an excellent way to introduce complex numbers. The chapters
on complex numbers elaborate on Feynman’s live presentation, although their
on-paper presentation employs the algebraic way of writing and reasoning.
With Feynman's energetic presentation as a model, I looked for and found in
1983, a preview and simple tour of calculus (slope-related calculations) which
likewise required a minimal knowledge of algebra. Just the definition of a slope
to a straight line needs to be understood to follow it.
The why slopes chapters extend this tour and provide a geometric motivation
for calculus, easy to describe and to repeat without a great dependence on
algebra and without requiring a mastery of the rules of differentiation, that is
slope calculation, for nonlinear functions.
This book is one of three volumes on understanding and explaining reasoning
skills and mathematics. The objective of this volume is to complement other
texts in algebra, trigonometry and calculus. Students may be able to read the
first part of this book during their high school days and keep the rest of this
work for consultation during their college studies.
The first why slopes chapters gradually illustrate the algebraic or symbolic
way of writing and thinking. The later is employed more deeply in some later
chapters and at full strength in proper calculus courses. The aim of the first
chapters is to provide a simple image-based preview or review of calculus. In
it, dependence on symbols or algebra is kept to a minimum. The images may help
readers to see and physically grasp the simplest slope-related ideas in
calculus. The remaining chapters cover more topics – see the table of
contents. Appendices present the most advanced topics. Theorems in first courses
on calculus are often stated without proof. The appendices state the theorems
and give or indicate the proofs. This should provide a context for the
decimal-free approach favored in advance calculus or modern mathematical
analysis.
This is a book which a student could begin reading in high school and
continuing reading through further college math courses. Material elementary to
advanced is covered.
Alan Selby
Montreal
March 1996
Copyright © 1995, 1996 by A. M. Selby
Canadian Cataloguing in Publication Data
Selby, Alan M,
Understanding and Explaining reason and math
Contents: v. 1. Elements of Reason - v. 2. Three Skills
for algebra - v.3. Why Slopes and more math.
ISBN 0-9697564-4-5 (set) -
ISBN 0-9697564-1-0 (v. 1) -
ISBN 0-9697564-2-9 (v. 2) -
ISBN 0-9697564-3-7 (v. 3) -
1. Mathematics–Philosophy. 2. Reason.
3. Algebra. 4. Calculus. I. Title. II. Title: Elements of reason. III.Three
Skills for algebra. IV. Title: Why Slopes and more math.
QA8.4.S44 1995 510’.1 C95-900945-0
Reprinting may lead to new ISBN numbers
In fall 1983, I gave three lessons to extend or complete
the skills of students starting calculus - recent high school graduates.
-
The first lesson three
skills for algebra gave a remedy for olde gaps in the high
school introduction of mathematics Exercise for
students: Find the fourth skill for algebra.
-
The second lesson two
logic puzzles fostered precision reading and writings skills, and
hinted at the role of logic in maths. Exercise for math and
English teachers: Present this puzzle in senior high school
classes.
-
The third lesson why
slopes - a geometric calculus appetizer gave a starter lesson for
calculus. It explains why slopes may be met in high school maths, and
non-algebraically informs students where calculus will head after a
coming review of high school maths and a discussion of limits and
continuity.
Chapters 2 to 14 in the 1996 site Volumes 2, Three
Skills for Algebra, and chapters 2 to 6 plus 14 in the 1996 Volume 3, Why
Slopes and More Maths, present these three lessons and add to
them. In doing so, they provide words and
stories to introduce logic and provide a clearer oral and geometric paths for
introduction of algebra in calculus and earlier high school maths. The
newer site area on Solving
Linear Equations may offers a geometric introduction for algebra at the
the junior high school level.
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Why Slopes
and
More Math
Volume 3
Printed in Canada
ISBN 0-9697564-3-7
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Read slowly, Volumes 2 & 3 may ease or avoid
calculus difficulties. Take the risk.
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Chapters and Appendices
Content Guide Foreword 2nd Content Guide 1. Introduction Geometric Calculus Preview (1983) 2. Algebraic Preview Begins 2 Skier in Motion (V) 2 The Skier (V) 2. Position Dependent (V) 3 Slope & Extrema (V) 4 Single Factor Analysis (V) 4 Two Factor (V) 4 More Factors (V) 4 With Divisors (V) 5 Maxima & Minima Tests 6 Jumps & Discontinuities 8 Review (optional) 9 On Calculus Studies 11 Slope of Slope 13 Acceleration 14 Limits & Error Control (V) 14 Limit of a Fn. 14. Limited Error Control 14 Signif. Digits 14 Cauchy Limits 14 Sequence Limits 14 Decimal Arith. 15 What is Slope (V) 15 Slope Calculation (V) 15 Slope, a Limit 15 Tangent Lines 15 Linear Approx., 15 Limits via Algebra (V) 15 Recap. PS.Chain Rule for Polys PS Chain Rule- General (V) - PS More Chain Rule (V) PS - Sign Analysis (V) 16 What is Velocity 17 What is Area 18 Integration 18 Area Calculation 18 Fn DefN, 6 Ways 19 Logs & Powers 19 Natural Log. 19 Exponential Fn. 20 What's Next 21 Add Vectors 22 Complex #'s 23 Complex #'s 23 Trig Identity 23 Proofs of. 24 Complex Logs etc
Units in Calculations:
7 Velocity 7 Varying Velocity Example 7. Velocity Calculation 7 Changing Units 7 Same Velocity Motions 10 Slopes without Units. 10 Units & Slopes 10 Units in Cost vs. Quantity 10 How Units Appear 10 Unit Elimination 10 Partial Elimination 10 Interest & Units 12 More on Units
Appendices:
Pigeon Hole Principle
Constant Difference Thm
Continuous Functions
Rational Functions
Mean Value Theorem
One Side Range Theorem
Range On One Side
Theorem
Integration
& Lipschitz
Continuity
These appendices continue the
decimal viewpoint of limits, error
control and continuity begun
in Chapter 14. The One Sided
Range Theorem is a postscript,
not in printed version.
What is a Variable?
Introduction
Variation between Examples
Variation of Letters
A letter denotes a variable
Cases of Double Variation
Three Notions of a Variable
Constants, Parameters
& Variables
Talking about numbers
Dependent
or Independent
Variable, a Matter of Choice
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Teachers & Tutors: See if
this algebra
& logic program (well put) & these
Arithmetic/Number
Theory Practices help. Both
are prequels to POMME - a two
level program for primary, secondary & even college
instruction in mathematics. Attend my live lessons
just to see what is possible online. Bon Appetit.
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Senior
High School &
Calculus Students
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?
// \
\
<| (o) (o)
|>
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/
\___ _/
||
-/[]\-
||
/ \_
What is the domino
effect of errors or gaps in figuring, reasoning
or
skill development
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The Roman alphabet
has 26 letters, all needed to read and write.
Arithmetic has addition, comparison, subtraction, multiplication
and division of numbers & amounts. All are needed
in daily life and in higher mathematics.
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For Avid Readers in School & Out -
Online Books
1. Elements of
Reason. 1996
1A. Pattern
Based Reason 1995
1B. Math
Curriculum Notes 1996
2. Three
Skills for Algebra 1995
3.Why
Slopes & More.Math
1995
Tour their forewords.
For difficulties
in Algebra, Three
Skills for Algebra, in Chapters
8 to 14 & 18 etc, puts words before symbols to enrich the
comprehension of all. Those lessons form the middle part of a
larger algebra
(and logic) program
Calculus Prep or Help: See Volumes 2 & 3,
and this bigger
Calculus
Guide. If your
calculus questions is not answered here, submit
it. Over time, that may complete the site development of
calculus.
For Parents: Speaking
Skills, Reading
& Writing,
Preparing for Science, ends,
values and methods for work and study, parent- friendly maths
skill development booklets for ages 4-14.
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Mostly
For High
School
Intro to Solving
Linear Equations
- a different paths for junior and even senior high
school students. Question for Tutors: When do
you use and when you skip the stick diagram method
here?
Fraction
Skills, thought-based development, Ages 10 to 14 may need a
tutor. Students who have to understand in order
to do may like the development in all or part.
For Senior
High School Mathematics & Calculus
5
wordy Logic
Chapters
4 curious Algebra
Chapters
Words before & besides symbols. A Key Algebra
forward & backwards Chapter
First Calculus
Preview (1st intro)
Four Calculus
Chapters
(2nd intro)
Intro to Complex
Numbers (long)
Intro to Mathematical
Induction (romantic & wordy at first)
Tutors & Instructors:
These lessons introduce skills differently Would you
recommend them?
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More Topics
1. Decimal
Arithmetic Reference!
2. Integers
- Intro to Signed No.s
3. Fractions
- fully explained.
4. Fractions
with Units
5. Number
Theory,
6. Solving
Linear Equations
7 Formulas
for- & backwards -
8. Proportionality,
Back- & For-wards.
9. Logic
Chapters:
10. Euclidean-Geometry
11. Slopes
& Equations of Straight Lines. (Take
I. See take II below)
12. Why
Study Slopes.
13. Maps,
Plans, Similarity & Trig,
(Take II included here)
14. Quadratics:
Starter lessons
15. Polynomials:
Starter lessons
16 Why
Factor Polynomials:
17 Functions
- Forwards & Backwards.
18. Exponents,
Radicals & logs.
19. Complex
Numbers before trig (new advance/ starter lesson)
20. DC
Electric
Circuits Etc
21. Real
Analysis
22. The
Olde Complex No, Trig
& Vector Section.
23. More
Calculus Stuff
- written after Volumes 2 and 3.
More For Instructors
-
Education
Essays
(opinions,
possibilities, references)
- Free
Advice and Directions
- Math & Logic How-TOs
1. Arithmetic
2. Algebra
3. More Algebra
4. Beginner Geometry
5. More Geometry
6. Calculus
7. Show Work or Logic
These may be too dense for students.
Level I Material: New Stuff
Time and Date Matters
Level I Arithmetic.
Money Matters
Measurement Matters
Matters of Chance (Risk Control)
Logic
Chapters
(leave what's not clear in Level I to Level II)
Using/Making Maps and Plans.
(A variant of
Maps,
Plans, Similarity & Trig, to
appear here).
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