Appetizers and Lessons for Mathematics and Reason (www.whyslopes.com)
Entrance Level 
||Définition d'une variable || Algèbre || Arithmetique || Logique ||La raison basée sur les règles et modelés||

Online Volumes
1,  Elements of Reason.
1A. Pattern Based Reason 
1B. Math Curriculum Notes
2. Three Skills for Algebra
3. Why Slopes & More Math
 (Optional Book Orders)
More Site Areas 
1. Help Your Child or Teen Learn 
2. Solving Linear Equations
3. Fractions Ratios Rates Proportions & Units
4. Euclidean Geometry
5. Analytic Geometry/Functions 
6. Number Theory
7. More Calculus
More Site Areas 
8. Complex Numbers 
9. Qc Maths  Education  
10. Secondary IV(?) maths
11. Real  Analysis 
12. LaTeX2HotEqn:
13. Electric Circuits Etc  
14.  Français
15. Algebra, Odds & Ends, Etc
More Site Areas 
16. Math Education Essays
17**. Telling & Working with Time
18**. Maps, Plans & Drawings
19**. Quantitative Skills for  home and  work, etc, etc 
20**. Statistics .
** Means Under-construction.

Test the Twiddla Whiteboard

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HIP, HIP, HIP, Hooray
YOU are better than YOU think. Show yourself  how:
  

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Read  logic chapters 1 to 5  in online volume Three Skills for Algebra  for greater skills & confidence in  work 
and study

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 Logic chapters 1 to 5  re- appear not in sequence, as is or longer,  in  Volume 1A,  Pattern Based Reason, Bon Appetite.

Logic Mastery
 Amazing, Amusing, Amorous,  Delicious, Delightful, Edifying, Strengthening Elixir. 
It eases work & learning difficulties Makes the hard easier. Opens eyes. Leads to greater precision.
in reading and
writing

Logic mastery makes the hard, easier. Logic mastery  leads to better, stronger and richer comprehension.  Logic mastery  improves reading and writing.  Logic mastery ease learning difficulties.  Logic mastery gives a headstart.  In sum, logic mastery  will develops critical thinking, improve reading and writing, and give a firmer base for work and studies at many levels. Good luck.


After logic  (a) continue reading Three Skills for Algebra, chapters 8 to 14  and do so alongside site area on solving liinear2007 Equations ; or (b) see this calculus starter lesson and Volume 3, Why Slopes  & More Math, chapters 2 to 6;

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Caution: Site advice is approximately correct, for some circumstances, not all. That leaves room for thought

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What may be learnt and when depends on how skills and concepts are developed. Making the hard easier and clearer will allow earlier & richer development of skills and concepts.


Try the Twiddla Whiteboard. In principle, it  allows to people to draw and chat together online on a copy of this webpage or a clean sheet. The chat may be via text or audio.  Visit www.twiddla.com to set up whiteboards to work with the webpage of your choice.

For online automated help in senior high school maths & calculus, visit  quickmath.com  For Automatic Calculus and Algebra Help with derivatives, integrals, graphs, linear equations, matrix algebra, visit calc101.com  With  overlap, each site quickmath & calc101offers a different range of services, some free, some not, all based on webmathematica. Good luck.

 

Site Description: Online books and further site material may develop critical thinking, improve reading, writing and study skills, and give a base for high school and college mathematics. Site material revisit skills and concepts in mathematics from algebra to calculus and in elementary logic to fine-tune exposition of key ideas and skills with a cumulative effect of easing or avoiding difficulties and enriching both learning and teaching.

Parents: Site area Helping Your Child or Teen Learn discusses 1. Speaking Skills, 2. Reading & Writing, 3. Science Prep for, 4. Math Work Books, 5.Books for Parents, 6. Primary & High School Mathematics, 7. Having Patience - Rome not built in a day, 8. School Short Comings, 9. Links For Parents, 10. Motivation Problem

Quotes from Site Reviews:

  • Magellan, the McKinley Internet Directory, 1996: Mathphobics, this site may ease your fears of the subject, perhaps even help you enjoy it. ...
  • [Math Forum], 1996: ... Strengths here are in the (site's) explanation of mathematical concepts using words and stories: ...
  • Education Planet Newsletter, 2001: ... The emphasis here is on the thinking part of math rather than the actual manipulations themselves. ...

Essays & Opinions: [Math HOW-TOs & Leading Questions] [9 Steps or Milestones for Mathematics] [For a Constant Retirement Rate]

Volume 1A, Pattern Based Reason, describes the benefits, origins and limits of using patterns and implication rules in many arts and disciplines. Chapters 4 , 6, 7 and 12 while describing logic will test or develop precision reading and writing - musts for home, work and school. ( Preparation for college studies in general. )

1 Introduction
2 Communication
3. Elements of Reason
4 Implication Rules
5. Deception
6 Chains of Reason
7 Longer Chains
(longer chains of reason from Romeo and Juliet.

8. A Language Change
9 The Next Chapters
10 Responsibility
11 Accidental Patterns
12 Knowledge Islands
13 Euclidean Logic
14 Views of Math
15 Objectivity

16 Origin of Patterns
17 Objective Ways

18 Sense+Knowledge

A. Indirect ways 
of Reason

B. Logic Links Etc

The last six chapters 
of Volume 1A, not shown
 coincide with the last
six chapters of Volume 2,
Three Skills for Algebra

Volume 1B, Math Curriculum Notes begins with  Inductive Principles   for instruction in its foreword, and the following chapters 1 Introduction 1 Two Barriers
1 Lowering Barriers 1 Units & Decimals 1 Chapter Guide 2 For & Against Math
3 Algebraic Thought  3 Skills For Algebra 3 Variables 4 Introduction 4 Complex Numbers 
4 Why Slopes 5 References 6 Rule Based Reason 7 Geometry, 2 Ways 8 Modern Instruction

9 The Two Ends 10 The Transition  10 Explaining Logic 10 Explaining Algebra 10 Why Sets in Math.
12 Four Phases

Preparation for College Mathematics
(High School Mathematics Revisited?)

Logic and Study Skills


 


Students: Getting help in doing your homework is fine, but identifying the source of your weakness (examples fractions are hard, the role of letters in math is a mystery, too much algebra in calculus, I became lost there and there and there, not understanding exactly what a text book or notes says or means, there, there and there) is even better.


Fractions and Solving Equations with stick diagrams (spring 2005) - a visual introduction to algebra which develops skills with fractions - two birds with one stone. Fractions, Ratios, Rates, Proportions and Units (summer 2005) - a site area best left to teachers - visit after 1 or 2..
Area Entrance
A. Letters & Lengths
B. Stick Diagrams
C. Beyond Sticks
D.Almost One
E. Binary Systems
F. Larger Systems
Stick Diagram Examples
2x + 5 = 20

3x + 10 = 32
5a + 16 = 3a+ 24
(½)x + 8 = 24½
(¾)a + 16 = (¼)a+ 24

(¾)q + 17 = 32
1 What is a Fraction
2 Multiplication I
3 Multiplication II
4 Multiplication III
5 Equivalent Fractions
6. Mixed Numbers
7 Comparison
8 Addition I
9 Addition II
10 Addition III
11 Multiplication IV
12 Division
13 Two Term Ratios
14 Implied Ratios
15 Multiple Ratios
16 Units in Arithmetic
17 Proportionality
18 Rates & Slopes EGss
Stick diagrams by themselves provide a concrete or visual context for many of the rules or patterns for solving equations, a context that may develop equation solving skills and confidence before any formal algebraic statement of the rule and patterns for solving equations.

The Arithmetic Videos (Realplayer format) may be viewed apart from or besides fraction lessons 1 to 12. Exercises on Mostly Fractions will test fraction know-how. The site area Solving Linear Equations may help students visualize fractions while you meet a geometric approach to algebra. I hope you can follow and enjoy the underlying ideas.

Pages 13 to 15 cover ratios, simple or multiple. Pages 16 to 18 introduce units in calculations and provide a setting for the discussion and definition of rates and proportionality constants.



Word processors and spell checkers to help us write. Yet to read and write, we still need to learn the alphabet and how to use words. Likewise, calculators and spreadsheets may help us with arithmetic, but to mathematics, we still need to learn methods to represent, compare add, multiply, subtract and divide whole numbers <101 by themselves or in fractions, and how to use or describe arithmetic. Decimals approximation are fine until we need to do arithmetic & algebra exactly in ways others can follow.

Two Treatments of Geometry

Euclidean Geometry is cover in this site area. The right column links to the treatment of analytic geometry, etc, in another site area.  Bon Appetit.

Euclidean Geometry (summer 2005) - geometry and trigonometry without coordinates. Master first

Analytic Geometry (summer 2005) Geometry and trigonometry with coordinates builds on geometry without. Master Second
This site area offers thought-based development of the following*.
  1. Correspondence between triangles. Here is an explicit definition, not always seen in class.
  2. Isometry of Triangles - Here is a definition.
  3. Side-Side-Side method
  4. Side Angle Side method
  5. Angle-Side-Angle method
  6. Isoceles and Equilateral Triangles
  7. Side-Side-Side Failure
  8. SAS Failure or Near Failure
  9. ASA Failure - links with the parallel postulate
  10. Parallel Lines - and angles associated with a transversal.
  11. Triangle Angle Sum - from the parallel postulate
  12. Similarity and Minimal Conditions for
  13. Right Angle Trig., from Similarity
  14. Trig & Similarity - More about the Connection
  15. Parallelograms and their Properties
  16. Arrows and Vectors in the Plane

*Peer refinement welcome.t

he assumption of coordinates covering lines, planes and space connects geometry and algebra in the thought-based development of distance formula, vectors, complex numbers, unit-circle trigonometry. etc.

  1. Real Numbers
  2. Real No.s More
  3. Linear Inequalities
  4. Say More Positive
  5. Rectangular Coords
  6. Distance Formulas
  7. Add & Multiply Points
  8. Polar Coordinates
  9. Radians
  10. (A) Vectors
    (A) Coordinate Arithmetic
    (A) Navigation on Maps
    (A) Addition Geometrically
    (A) Rotation
  11. (C) Complex Numbers
    (C) Distributive Law
    (C) Properties
    (C)  Complex Conjugates
    (C)  Pythagoras New Proof
  12. (T) Unit Circle Trig
    (T) Complex Numbers &Trig
    (T) cis or exponential FNS
    (T) Dot & Cross Products
    (T) Cosine Law
    (T) Pythagoras Converse
  13. (L)  Lines Slopes Equations
    (L)  Deriving Eq'ns
    (L)  Perpendicular
    (L)  Numerically
    (L)  3 Eqn Forms
    (L)  Algebraic View
    (L) System of Equations
    (L) Odds & Ends
  14. (PT) Dilatations
    (PT) Translations
    (PT) Rotations
  15. Quadratics
  16. Conic Sections
  17. (FN) Functions
    (FN) With Formulas
    (FN) With Sets
    (FN) Vertical Line Rule
    (FN) Horizontal Line Rule
    (FN) Inverse Functions
    (FN)  Why Sets
    (FN) Odds and Ends
  18. Inequalities


More from Volume 2, Three Skills for Algebra

Complex Numbers, Trig and Vectors
An Earlier Treatment.

Complex Numbers (2001) - an earlier development with connections to vectors and trig. Items B2 to B10 are still recommended.
A1 Add Points B5 Rt Triangle Similarity D1 Arrow Navigation
A2 Polar Coords B6 Trig Functions D2 Sum of Motions
A3 Polar Multiply
A4 Complex Numbers
B7 Dot & Cross Products D3 Addition Method I
A5 Real Numbers B8 Cosine Law D4 Addition Method II
A6 Law of Signs B9 Exponential & cis fns D5 Addition Method III
B1 Cartesian Multiply B10 Easy Trig Identities D6 Coordinate Addition
B2 Complex Conjugates B11 Set Viewpoint D7 1st Distributive Law
B3 Pythagoras C1 Unsigned Coords D8 2nd Distributive Law
B4 Distance C2 Signed Coords D9 3rd Distributive Law
This Complex Number (java) applet , online earlier, illustrates the addition and multiplication of points, arrows and complex numbers in the plane.

See B2 to B10 for the easy consequences of the key arithmetic properties of complex numbers, normally algebraically described include the Pythagorean theorem, trig formulas for dot- and cross-products, the cosine law and a converse to the Pythagorean Theorem.

The sequence of lessons A1 to A6, B1 to B11, C1, C2 and D1 to D9 represents an older development of mateiral which can be replaced by Analytic Geometry lessons. In the older sequence the two webpages Complex Numbers & Trig for Today's Students and Distributive Law for Complex Numbers, could be read first and followed by easy consequences B2 to B10.


Number Theory 

From Counting to Properties of Rean and (?) Complex Numbers

Origins of Counting Adding Wholes  Multipling Wholes Distributive Law  Preamble Distributive Law for Wholes Consequences
More Consequences What is a Fraction Compound Fractions

Decimal Place Value ] Comparison Method ] Addition Method ] Subtraction Methods ] Multiplication Methods ] Division Methods ] Remainder Arithmetic I ] Primes & Composites ] Primes Factorization ] Primes & Composites ] Prime Factorization Aids ] Arithmetic Videos ] Square Roots ] Fractions ] Fractions as Decimals ] 1 = 0.999 Recurring ] Long Division Continued ] Ratio of Simple Fractions ] Ratio of Decimal Fractions ] Unsigned Reals Numbers ] Signed Coordinates ] Plane Vectors ] Horizontal Vectors ] How to Add Reals ] How to Multiply Reals ] Distributive Law for Reals ][ Remainder Arithmetic II 

Calculus or Pre-Calculus

The following Appetizers or Lessons will almost surely avoid (or if need-be ease) some algebra shocks in calculus. They provide a provide a preview which put first ideas and concepts easily understood, and do so in a way that introduces the algebraic way of writing and reasoning needed at full strength in calculus gradually instead of suddenly.


Calculus or Real Analysis

Limits, Continuity, Differentiation, Areas, Natural Log and Exponential

The following site pages, most from Volume 3, Why Slopes and More Math,
try to clarify a few ideas in the practice and theory of calculus and to complement rather than replace existing textbooks and courses. See what you can understand. A more complete and more accessible introduction to these concepts will or may follow in fall 2005.

A Decimal Alternative for the decimal -free epsilon-delta e-d
view of Limits
Derivatives -definition via the limit of approximations. Differentiation Rules and Integration chapters
14 Limits & Error Control (V)
14 Limit of a Funtionn.
14. Limited Error Control
14 Significiant Digits
14 Cauchy Limits
14 Sequence Limits
14 Infinite Decimal
Arithmetic via limits.
 
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.

16 What is Velocity
17 What is Area
18 Integration
18 Area Calculation
18 Function Definition
in 6 Ways

19 Logs & Powers
19 Natural Log.
19 Exponential Fn.
  • For better insight into the epsilon-delta e-d view of limits, read chapter 14 and the PS. - material for advance students.
  • Limits via Algebra may develop the algebraic way of writing and thinking
    with limits and point the way to a better understand of differentiation.
  • Lessons marked with a (V) have RealPlayer Videos. Some good, some not.
  • Chapters 15 to 18 develop further the view that taking the limit of a sequence of
    approximations to geometric or physical quantity may be taken as a definition
    of the quantity in the case of convergence.
  • Chapter 17 and 18 offer a context for the discussion of areas under curves plus statements of the fundamental theorem of calculus.
  • ch 19 describes the area under a curve definition of the natural logarithm ln(x), derives its properties and defines the exponential as the inverse function to it.

Slopes of a curve y = f(x) (derivatives of f(x)) are approximated by slopes of secant lines and defined as the limit of these approximations. That provides the first view of what is a slope or derivative. BUT properties of limits imply rules for obtaining derivatives which depend on the algebraic form of a function f(x), rules in which limits are not seen, albeit limits are beneath the surface in that they implied the rules: Those rules include sum, difference, product, quotient and chain rules plus all the rules for differentiating basic functions: trig, polynomial, exponential, logarithmic.


Real Analysis

Meeting the definitions and proofs of a mathematical theory without concrete examples to illustrate and support provides a vacuous knowledge of the theory. Here are proofs of the first theorems in advance calculus and a few more which assume the the convergence of infinite decimal expansions. These pages provide a context for the decimal-free treatment of limits, convergence and continuity met in pure mathematics courses on analysis.

B. Pigeon Hole Principle
B. Bolzano-Weierstrass
C. Triangle Inequality
C. More T.Inequality
D. Sets & Sequences
D. Monotone Sequences
E. Limits, Error Control
E. Limits, Properties
F. Closed Range Thm
F. Intermediate Val. Thm
F. Compactness Thm
F. Equicontinuity Thm
F. Extreme Val. Thms
G. Rolle's Theorem etc
G. Constant Diff. Thm
G. Lipschitz Continuity I
G. Velocity Revisited
G. Sufficient Conditions
H. Riemann Sums Conv
H. Lipschitz Continuity II

Mathematics Curriculum Notes

The Foreword to the 1996 Volume 1B, Mathematics Curriculum Notes, at this site begins with the inductive principles, while the rest of that volume tries to identify difficulties in mathematics education and explores the possibilities for  an inductively complete program for mathematics. Volume 1B provide a context for the companions volumes 2 and 3 written earlier. And more generally, Volume 1A on Pattern Based Reason, provided a context for the Volume 1B. 

This Volume 1B, Math Curriculum Notes includes Inductive Principles for instruction in its foreword, and the following chapters 

1 Introduction   2 For & Against Math
3 Algebraic Thought   4 Calculus & Complex No.s
5 References 6 Rule Based Reason
7 Geometry, 2  8 Modern Instruction 9 The Two Ends
10 The Transition 11 Primary Math  12 Four Phases

This  1995-6 work, the second part of Volume 1,  reflects on the modern mathematics curriculum of the 1960s and mid to late 1950s.  There is more to be said. This foreword states inductive principles for instruction. Chapters 1 to 7 explore difficulties in mathematics. Chapters 8 to 12 propose remedies.  Site material implements or supports some.  

October 4th, 2005: The new page Teaching Algebra provides a clear for introducing algebra or the shorthand roles of letters and numbers in a clear or concrete manner to lessen the confusion associated  with phrases like Let x be a number, or suppose a, b and c are real numbers.  Albeit, clarity is in the eye of the beholder.

Remarks - some worth reading

If your end justifies your means then your end and ends may also be mean.

To learn, you need to study details, one at a time and one after another. No one else can do this for you.

Between friends, what is easy for one may be harder for another. Do not rely on your friends for judgment as what is easy or not. Rely on yourself.

Instructors are invariably skeptically about change in math education. Software written and distributed in haste typically needs debugging. Change in mathematics instruction needs to be prototyped, tested, debugged and understood well on a Mini scale first. Adaptations may be required.

Educational authorities have a bad habit of imposing fashionable principles and practices in education without local testing before use.

Reforms like much needed drugs need to be tested before use and watched carefully for side effects.

To build your skills and confidence make a list of what has been mastered, make a list of what still needs to be understood, and then act on the needs by yourself and with help.

Do you see ads that said with milk, some cereal would be nutritious? The milk was required for most of the nutrition. Similarly, with effort yours, this site will show you how to be better at school and work. Be persistent. If one explanation here or elsewhere is not to your liking, find another. With effort and clear explanations (hunt for them), you can be better than you think.

Mathematicians can specify what is taught at the higher levels in high school and college. But at the lowers, students need hands on practice with rulers, right triangles, protractors,
compasses, strings, solid and paper shapes, money, buying and selling operations, all in order to gain familiarity with the use of numbers and quantities. Yet there is a need for a clearer transition, for lessons plans easily repeated repeated in the classroom, easily understood by instructors.

Do you see ads that said with milk, some cereal would be nutritious? The milk was required for most of the nutrition. Similarly, with effort yours, this site will show you how to be better at school and work. Be persistent. If one explanation here or elsewhere is not to your liking, find another. With effort and clear explanations (hunt for them), you can be better than you think.

Mathematicians can specify what is taught at the higher levels in high school and college. But at the lowers, students need hands on practice with rulers, right triangles, protractors,
compasses, strings, solid and paper shapes, money, buying and selling operations, all in order to gain familiarity with the use of numbers and quantities. Yet there is a need for a clearer transition, for lessons plans easily repeated repeated in the classroom, easily understood by instructors.

 

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