Appetizers and Lessons for Mathematics & Reason Français: 26 pages
A 1100+ page site with math-free logic chapters and wordy algebra chapters.
For comprehension, study site chapters and steps. Go beyond rote learning.

Logic mastery strengthens comprehension and so improves home, work & study abilities .
Logic 5 Chapters Arithmetic 10 Steps Algebra 12 Starter Steps & 5 Advanced Steps
Work & Study 23 Tips Geometry 15 Steps Calculus 70 Lessons

Ages 15+: Why study slopes Polynomials Quadratics Why factor polynomials Logarithms Functions
What is similarity Euclidean geometry leanly Coordinates + complex no.s Vectors DC Electric Circuits

Ages 14+: Prime factorization Written work formats Decimal place value Extend arithmetic skills orally
What is a variable 5 fraction operations by raising terms Solving Linear Equations: Take I Take II

Online Volumes: 1 - Elements of Reason, 2 - 3 Skills For Algebra, 3 - Why Slopes and
More Math
, 1A - Pattern Based Reason, 1B - Skill Development Principles + Troubles
Forewords + leading chapters give original reasons, still valid, for site content & growth.

Site Review: Mathphobics, this site may ease your fears of the subject, perhaps even help you njoy it. ... unintimidating, sometimes funny and very clear. ... . Read all. Continue with Volume 2, Three Skill for Algebra.

Site Review. Math resources ... span ... arithmetic, logic, algebra, calculus, complex numbers, and Euclidean geometry. Lessons and how-tos .... provide a good foundation ... Read all. See site books as well.

Teachers & Tutors: Site material uniquely explains common troubles in terms of steps too large or missing. Plus, this December 2011, 5-phase framework offers a context for mathematics & logic education. Phases 1 to 3 may focus on skills with actual or potential local value for adult & daily life. College-oriented phases 5 & 4 focus on calculus & preparation for it. Phases 1 to 4 may also serve trades & professions not dependent on calculus.

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Words For Teachers,  Mathematicians and 
Mathematics Education Faculty

Instructors: (i)  Calling this a  T3 (Teach the Teacher) site  is not a claim to perfection.   It is a claim that  site ends, values and methods should be taken as a lower bound  and a lower standard for skill development - do better - in your instruction and in course design.     With regrets, the  mathematics curricula put forth by English educational authorities in  North America and the UK, those I have seen,  are unsatisfactory.  Technical gaps persist, are accepted or go unnoticed.  The underlying premise in secondary course design of preparing for advance mathematics (calculus)  does not serve common  needs.    (ii) Encourage strong readers in your classes to  explore site skill and concept development pathways. - that may help them catch-up, leap ahead or help others in your classes.  Assigning  students to evaluate site skill development methods  for class projects and presentation would help teacher training  and tutor training programs    (iii) It may be improper to say that reforms of any kind should be accompanied by well-documented how-TOs, and preceded by critical path analysis of what is to done, for whom, and why. However, in business, government and education, reform in haste, repent at leisure appears to be a rule.  Changes too good to challenge, too good to wait for how-TOs to be collected, studied and documented, are reforms in haste. (iv) Just as computer have to boot-up by loading elementary instructions,  quantitative skill development  have to boot-up in the education of learners 4 to 14  years of age.  

The 21st yearbook of  the NCTM (1951) ends with statements to the effect that  mathematics instructors need to be master technicians, learning engineers. Its focus was on content matters or options.   The aim then appeared to be  the preparation of students for university level studies in mathematics.  The underlying premise was that these students would be prepared for advanced mathematics in the form of calculus etc to do the work in business, engineering, science and technology that society or governments wanted. The needs of students not in the university track , for a general education in mathematics etc was acknowledged but not analyzed.  Leading Mathematician of the 1940s to the 1960s were involved in the discussion  of possible of material (content options) for pre-university students.  

Student Centered Skill Development:  In education which values skill development, calls for education to be student centered may be answered by putting first in mathematics or quantitative skill development,  the common or likely needs of students and their families.  The common person in the street does not need preparation for calculus, he or she first needs a command of quantitative skills and concepts to the greatest extent possible, before preparation, if any, for advanced mathematics begins. Options here could  be fine-tuned to give a base for the preparation for advanced mathematics, but more importantly, it would also provide a safety net and some appreciation for what should be the  common knowledge of mathematics by  the many, many students who begin the preparation but do not complete it.

Skills and Concepts with Take Home Value:  To provide take home value, mathematics education should  focus on the progressive development of skills and concepts likely to have immediate or long-term take home value for students.  Teach  geometry in the form of map and plan usage. Mastery of similarity would be implicit in that.  Teach arithmetic (the first R) and formula evaluation for working with lengths, measures and all money matters.  Knowledge of error propagation, an apolitical  domino effect, in multi-step methods would follow from that.   Teach  logic (the difference between saying A if B and saying A if and only if B, and chains of reason)  for the sake of precision in the 3 more Rs  reading, writing and reasons. More precisions and less confusion in  work and study would follow from that.   Teach about chance, averages and probability along with logic as a base for making decisions not only in playing games, but also in making decision in daily life.  All the foregoing should provide ends, values and methods for careful attention to details in work and study.  

Future course design  to be student oriented in a practical manner needs  to  put firsts the  common and likely needs of daily life in the streets before preparation for advanced mathematics (calculus) begins in earnest.  

Where is the discussion of content options in the education reforms 1990 onwards?  Should not content possibilities, what to teach and why be the main force in reform?  This site present options for filling gaps and repairing inconsistency in skill (and concept) development.   This site introduction  of fractions, algebra and complex numbers, and calculus is especially strong. 

  1. Raising terms in fractions, is shown as method for going from simple to the general case not only in the comparison,  addition and subtraction  but also for multiplication and division.  That makes the justification clearer, more accessible; 
  2. The algebraic way of writing and reasoning is introduced at length with words and geometry. The unifying concept that all rules and patterns  will be employed forward and backwards appears.
  3. The geometric development of complex numbers  and their properties may stand on the properties of real numbers and the observation that a midpoint of two points (a line segment) is moved by a rotation in to the midpoint of the images of those two points (or the line segment).   That provides an option for mastering complex numbers geometrically before the geometric introduction and mastery of periodic trig functions.  Why that was not done before is a question to resolve - what is new in the route here?
  4. The site geometric and algebraic preview of calculus may ease or avoid some algebra difficulties by providing a context for the calculation of derivatives and by putting first those elements of algebraic reasoning easiest to understand. 

Stepping Back in Time

The advent of  writing  and drawing on parchment or paper (or whatever) allowed geometric reasoning to done and recorded in books at least since the time Euclid, 300 B. C.   Since 1500 A.D., writing on paper and slates has permitted or led to  the development of arithmetic notation and written mechanical  methods for arithmetic to be developed and become part of the common knowledge. The technological advance (olde and low-tech) of writing and drawing ideas on paper set the stage for the  development of mathematical thought, done and recorded  step by step.  Reasoning steps present in proofs and problem solving being drawn and written on paper extended the power of the mind and became a medium for  recording or communication of observable verifiable, correctable and if verified, thoughts independent of any scribe. To say the development of skills and knowledge is a private matter for the individual, beyond observation and verification is to ignore the common bond and interaction made possible by communication. 

 Diagrams and symbols drawn, and word spoken or written provide a means for individuals to share their ideas (or lies) in manner that makes private thoughts and ideas part of the common discourse and knowledge between a few or the many.   A common knowledge appears in  the power to draw and write thoughts on paper to record and imply rules and patterns for the original scribe and others to follow or adapt.  

Education in an established art or discipline, call this training if you like, requires an observable mastery of current tools and practices. Both research and education in mathematics, science and everyday technology requires  the development and mastery of methods in an observable, repeatable and hence verifiable manner for  credibility, that is,  potential peer review by fellow researchers or students, or teachers.  Mastery of knowledge in mathematics and science is not private affair. It is a public affair. Skill in these disciplines has to been seen to be credible.  And in mathematics, mastery of the  tools and practices of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, probability, calculus and so must be expressed on paper in order to be observed and checked or double-checked and corrected as need-be. There are rules and patterns to learn and follow with care to avoid errors, errors of the observable kind. 

Progressive Skill Development

Skills  which can be observed directly  may be judged and corrected by observers.  Skills with observable results can be judged by those results.  Mistakes can be identified and advice or directions for skill improvement can be given.  In many arts and disciplines, skill development is progressive: later skills may follow from earlier ones via self-instruction or deliberate instruction.  

While mathematics may be logically and progressively developed, skills and concepts, one at a time, one after another, once students have grasped logic and the algebraic way of writing and reasoning, the prerequisite to that progressive development is a mastery of logic and of the shorthand roles of letters and symbols in algebraic reasoning.  To make matters simpler, the mastery of logic can be learnt apart from mathematics.  See Volume 2.  

What is obvious to some,  is not obvious to all.  The algebraic shorthand way of writing and reasoning with letters and symbols, beyond say the evaluation of formulas,  is not obvious for all.  The difficulty in algebra may stem for the fact that picture is worth a thousand words. Pictures are better seen in glance than described with words.   When arithmetic and algebraic expressions are written or seen on paper,  they are often best seen and grasped silently than expressed in words. In general,  there has been a lack of words, a lack of rationalization, for the use of letters and symbols in mathematical reason.  That nonverbal aspect of art and mathematics is offset by the use of names for pictures (the Mona Lisa) and the use of names or identifying phrases for formulas:  the compound interest formula, this rectangle area formula. 

A General Plan:  To  aid skill and conceptual mastery of algebra, steps for that may begin with giving and evaluating formulas for length, area, volume and speed, distance or time; may continue with the the use of letters to denote the unknown measure, say length or area in a geometric figure,  which is visible before allowing letters to denote an unknown count or number;  may continue with the algebraic description of methods or patterns for describing arithmetic with fractions; may continue with the use of letters to describe arithmetic identities; and may continue in the explanation of the forward and backward use of formulas and proportionality relations.   Algebraic descriptions of arithmetic methods for fractions appears as part of site lessons on fractions. Those lessons need to read twice - once for the mechanical mastery of fraction skills and concepts apart from the algebraic description, and a second time to introduce the role of algebra as a means to describe fraction arithmetic patterns or how-TOs.  Counting principles as is or disguised in the form of area calculation may be employed to imply the commutate, associative and distributive properties of arithmetic.  

Two Gaps in Skill Development

Or why mathematics is harder than need-be.

The olde Algebra Gap:  The shorthand roles of letters and symbols  are not fully explained or rationalized from solving equations to the very challenging use of algebra in advanced mathematics (calculus).    Solving linear equations starting with fractional operations on stick diagrams gives an entry level, geometric introduction to algebra with letters referring to visible lengths.   Chapters 8 to 12 in Volume 2  and the essay What is a Variable put more words into the explanation and comprehension of algebra.   Chapter 14 in the same Volume 2 with its  detailed discussion of the direct and indirect use a formulas identifies a unifying theme for algebra and logic - all rules and patterns  may and will be used forward and backwards in mathematics, science, technology and logic or reason. The very challenging use of algebra in calculus is made easier by (i) this  why slopes, geometric preview of calculus, by (ii) this factored polynomial, algebraic preview in  Chapters 2 to 6  in Volume 3, and by (iii) the further discussion of slopes, limits, derivatives and integration  in Chapters 11 to 18 of Volume 3. Mathematical Fact:  Calculus requires earlier high school mathematics and logic at full strength: (i) This  long  complex numbers lesson on  shows how to simplify the development of periodic trig functions, the derivation of their properties,  and the derivation of trig identities and formulas in the plane  for vectors dot and cross-products.   For further algebra skill development, see the site coverage of fraction with units, proportionality polynomials, quadratics functions  and straight line slopes and equations.  And for logic mastery, start with the math-free chapters 1 to 5 in Volume 2 as early as possible for the sake of precision or greater precision in reading, writing, reason.  See too the site coverage of Number Theory.

The New Arithmetic Gap: An exact and efficient mastery of arithmetic with decimals and fractions is needed for proper, full strength,  high level  study of mathematics alone and in science, technology and business.   In site material, webpages  with html, and real player and flash format  webvidoes on arithmetic with decimals and integers,  on  fractions and solving linear equations with fractional operations on stick diagrams may help fill this gap.  Calculators and computers (cash registers too) can be and should be employed to do arithmetic. 

Note: An exact and efficient command of arithmetic  should be obtained in the last years of primary school and the first years of secondary school, partly to serve these ends, values & methods for work & study - learning to avoid  mistakes in  multistep methods via the early  mastery of exact arithmetic with decimals;  and partly to set the stage for an exact and careful mastery of algebra.  The division of polynomials (a requirement for calculus) will be easier for students well-practiced  long division with whole numbers (decimals). 

Mastery of arithmetic with decimal and fractions may be taught to give student experience with the domino effect: an error in the data or one step of a methods leads to results, intermediate to last, most likely in error. Whence the old view that figuring well is a sign of intelligence (intelligence of the practical kind) stays alive as end and value for primary and junior high school mathematics.

 Quantitative skill development should reflect a critical path analysis and knowledge of the ends, values and methods of instruction which have been chosen.  After  arithmetic mathematics education may continue with a lean  but adequate coverage of the algebra, geometry and trig required for common trades or for further study - preparation for calculus included.    That being said, with regrets, I am  not exactly sure what preparation common trades would require, but I do know what calculus requires. 

Skill Development Pathways   

  1. Decimal Arith. Lessons (Flash) ] Students ages 9+  should master decimal methods for exact and only later approximate arithmetic with whole numbers and  decimal fractions (proper or not).  Practical intelligence comes from  learning how to do decimal operations carefully and via that becoming aware of the domino effect:  an mistake in the data or  one step of a multistep method leads to incorrect results, intermediate to last.  Furthermore mastery of decimal methods and explanations of why they work provide a greater command of decimal place value.  The video lessons here provide a full explanations - too much for most students, but just right for  tutors and teachers 

  2. Fraction Operations (comparison, multiplication & division included). developed  by raising terms to transform into easy cases.  (A must read for the instruction of students 11 to adult and a must read for students 14+ ).

  3. Ends, Values and Format for Work and Study.  Communication, showing reason and problem solving step by step, with proper format, provide ends, values and base for observable and verifiable (or correctable) skill development.  Vertical alignment of equal signs in the evaluation or simplification of arithmetic and algebra expression sets the stage for proper use of equal signs by students 11 to adult.  Here communication, problem solving and reason are taken as part of  skill development. 

  4. Early Geometry in the form of Plan and Map usage provide a practical, self-contained, early math (trig-free) approach to solving similarity problems by drawing diagrams to scale and then measuring on the diagram. Here is a self-standing prequel to trig. (Ages 10 to 13, not as is, Ages 14+ as is.

  5. Solving  Linear Equations  via fractional operations on sticks (line segments) makes use of letters and stick-free solution understandable.  Proper format for use of equal signs is followed here.  Ages 13+  

  6. Easily Solved Systems of equations in essentially one unknown gives a model for formulating word problems, as a way to ease or avoid  mental gymnastics with algebra.  Ages 13+. 

  7. Integers  introduced geometrically  in a way that gives a model for the geometric introduction of  most  operations on signed numbers. See Arithmetic How-TOs for more.

  8. The Forward and Backward use of formulas (also rules and patterns) is  a unifying theme for senior high school and college mathematics and science.   The theme appears here with the compound interest formula. In retrospect ( a site or teacher to do),  simpler formulas introduce the theme. In  proportionality problems  this theme appears with backward use (finding the proportionality constant) put first.   

  9. Wordy Introductions to Logic may develop precision reading and writing needed in maths, all further studies, home life and work for better performance or self-protection  - Romeo and Juliet make mathematical induction easier to understand and explain - Chains of reason provide a model for reason in Euclidean Geometry  outside mathematics.
    (Ages 15+  but  earlier for avid readers, gifted students).

  10. Three Skills for Algebra (Talking about Numbers, Describing Calculations, Describing when calculations are equal, what is a variable) may ease or avoid  fears & difficulties and clarify concepts that obvious to some, but not  ALL. The algebraic way of writing and reasoning needs to be introduced with words - rationalized.   Ages 14+

  11. Essay What is a variable  puts words before and beside symbols at a level the calculus or precalculus student will understand.  Fellow Mathematicians: Arguments against past verbal descriptions of variables do not apply here.  Ages 14+ and before calculus.

  12. Complex numbers & properties introduced geometrically & rigorously before the development of periodic trig functions will simplify  simplify the high school level 2D geometric development of   trig and  vectors.  The simple geometric proof here of the distributive law is the key. The advantages of using complex numbers in the exposition of trig was well-known in the 1940s or earlier.   

    Why complex numbers were not geometrically developed before trig in the course designs of the 1950s or 60s is a bit of mystery.  Some inquiry or research may explain why.  Since 1976, this site author looked for a simple proof of the distributive law, found or re-invented several, only to learn in February 2010 that giving a geometric proof was an exercise in Secondary Mathematics, A Functional Approach for Teachers, H. F. Fehr,  D. C Heath and Company Boston 1951.  

  13. multiplication, addition, subtraction and long division of polynomials geometrically,.Quickly.  Justification is another matter. The aim   is to make the algebraic processes more accessible. Ages 15+

  14.  Quadratics - The algebraic way of writing and reasoning is employed at full strength in calculus.  The aim  again is to make the algebraic process more accessible. 

  15. Function Theory for Senior High School and Calculus Students - Multiple Viewpoints explained and reconciled.  Ages 15+.  May begin before and finish in calculus.

  16. Geometric  and Algebraic (Chapters 2 to 6  in Volume 3) Calculus Previews:  These offer an end earlier studies or a start for calculus in a manner that strengthens algebra skills and eases or postpones calculus difficulties.

  17. The decimal representation of real numbers with limits and convergence related to the possibility of unlimited error control (decimally described)  in the evaluation of functions and limits might make epsilonics easy for undergraduates specializing in mathematics or advanced students of calculus/real analysis.

Preparation for Calculus etc - Steps not covered or not covered fully in site material. 

  1. Logarithms and Exponentials.  (i) The natural log may be quickly  introduced as the area under a curve (proofs skipped)  or simply assumed. (ii) Calculators may use to illustrate or confirm properties. (iii) All other logs may be expressed in terms of the natural log.  (iv) The inverse exp(x) to the natural log may be introduced by using the graph of the latter backwards - introduce the horizontal line method for calculating a function from a set or graph in the plane. (v) Properties  of exp(x) may be derived or assumed.  (vi) How to compute  rational powers and rational roots for non-negative numbers may be shown to build algebraic skills and to define bx as exp( x ln(b))    (vii). How to calculate rational powers 1/n and  m/n of real numbers x when n is odd may be shown.  That is x 1/n = sign(x) (|x|)1/n  and x m/n = sign(x) (|x|)m/n when n is odd and n is real.   (viii). Logarithms and Exponentials may be used in the forward and backward use  and equivalence of  (i) compound growth  formulas A = P(1+r)n , (ii) doubling time formulas A =   2t/TP  (ii)  half-life formulas  A = 2-t/TP, (iii) continuous growth/decay formulas   A = P exp(t ln B).  The equivalence of these models and their forward and backward use  in biological, chemical, physical and financial growth and decay formulas may be implied or explored.  Reference: the site coverage of See Exponents, Radicals & logs. and chapter 14 in Volume 2.

  2. Probability.  The Study of Probability provides a stage to practice and maintain exact arithmetic skills with whole numbers and fractions. The study also  employs function notation P(E) say and set concepts/operations to codify and calculate chances or probabilities.    Operation with sets may be linked to logical operations, mathematical induction and function notation may serve as a deliberate prequel to function theory, and then employ functions to codify and clarify concepts.  

    Motivation: Chance and probability concepts and considerations are met in daily to estimate the odds of success in uncertain situation from playing games (optional) to running a business, a school or a civil service department. The exposition of probability concepts may employ sets, functions, counting principles and logic as part of a deliberate development of algebraic thinking skills before calculus, time permitting. 

  3. Sets: Sets and their elements may be specified via lists (rosters), indicated or sketched using diagrams. After some mastery of algebra,  subsets may be specified with with a mix of set builder notation and algebraic conditions - equalities and inequalities included.  Whence sets may appear as the "solution" of algebraic conditions.  Counting in groups (non-overlapping sets) is implicit in primary school maths.  That style of counting may be made described algebraically and extended to cover the case of overlapping sets.  Counting skills may be codified and extended with the use of injective and surjective functions. Motivation:  Sets have immediate value in high school probability theory, counting methods included,  in illustrating logical ideas and  in simplifying the description of functions - their graphs & domains.   Talking about sets of numbers further  lightly sets the stage for modern mathematics. 

  4. Conic Sections:  (i) How the intersection of planes and cones imply the loci description of conic section in the plane should be available.  The 1942 text What is Mathematics by Courant and Robbins gives this for an ellipse and references for other cases.   (ii) How completing the square for quadratics in two variables x and y  in the simplest cases (no xy terms)  leads to standard forms for equations of ellipses, parabolas and hyperbolas. (iii) Application of the standard forms to graphing conics sections in the plane and recognizing their form.   In physics conic sections appear in planetary and projectile motion.   Other serious application appear to be scarce. 

    Note:   The study of conic sections or their equations is not needed to begin calculus.  The study in advance calculus of functions of two or more variables  requires completing the square or equivalent linear algebra concepts to classify "critical points" as  maxima, minima and "saddle-points" and to graph level sets around such points.  That classification is of service in engineer (mechanics). Thus the study of conics could begin before calculus and be finished besides or after calculus in courses in analytic geometry, in  linear algebra or in mechanics.  The study of conic sections before calculus is a possibility to build algebra skills.  To what extent and level it should be done as part of the preparation for calculus is not answered here. 

Changing Course Design 

Writing switched in 2007 from returning the modern maths curricula of the 1960s to favor, to developing an successor to it and the constructivist reform  movement of the mid-1980s to the present.  

Calls for competence, reason, communication, reason and student centered instruction may all phrases to support and call for   observable and verifiable skill development in pure and applied disciplines.   Future course design (the preparation for calculation part) in secondary mathematics should not begin with axioms for real numbers, it should end with that. Before that end, in primary and secondary school, explanations of why methods work should be included where it aids comprehension and does not overwhelm students and their tutors or instructors. That explanation of why should always be available as a reference. But common practices in arithmetic (the assumption that counts do not depend on how counted) and in map usage (geometric assumptions) may be employed to imply the algebraic statement of properties of both real and complex numbers, a possibility only after the slow and careful introduction of the algebraic way of writing and reasoning.  Once those properties are implied by common means, sufficient for the common person in the street to follow, the axiomatic development and codification of real numbers may begins. But the axioms envisioned here would include the decimal representation of real numbers with limits and convergence defined in terms of decimal concepts in order to make calculus more accessible.

The introduction to modern maths in secondary school should not begin with axioms for real numbers, it should end with them or better yet elevate to axioms,  properties of  numbers, real and complex, that serve common and advanced skill development in daily life and in university mathematics, science and engineering. That elevation should be done after the properties have been implied.  See below. 

The rigour of modern mathematics may not be possible in quantitative skill development from counting and measuring to calculus but it should be possible to include as a reference or option, a thought-based development of skills and concepts. In that sense, the exposition and introduction of mathematics may self-contained. In contrast, all other applied disciplines (chemistry, physics) beyond hands-on methods for lengths and measures employ tools and concepts, rules and patterns,  in an off-the-shelf, plug and play manner  because their insufficient time and capacity in high school and college laboratories to produce or fully explain  all the substances and tools used in practice. Mathematics is simpler.  Finally,  mathematics education, its extent and feasibility, will depend on ends, values and methods for instruction, and the number of years available for it.  To keep interest alive as long as possible, skills and concepts with take-home value should be put first.

Mathematics Boot-up Process:   

The first task of quantitative education  is to foster an practical command of skills and concepts. After mastering practices, mathematical and logical, students may see how to combine them and compound them, and eventually through that see how some practices imply the others. Algebraic and deductive practices in mathematics cannot be applied until they have been introduced and master inductively or progressively. That boot-up might begin with skills and concepts that have take-home value before preparation for college mathematics (calculus) begins in earnest.   In other words primary school and early secondary school instruction in quantitative skills with numbers, measures and maps  may progressively develop skill in calculation and in handling concepts in a do-this, do that manner, with notation chosen to optimize that development, not overwhelm, and with explanation given only when it helps skill mastery and does not distract from it. In that mathematical and logic methods may be trusted if they provide and require results in an observable and hence verifiable or correctable manner.  Again the method for presenting work may be chosen to favour that.  Methods with take home value are emphasized for the sake of context and motivation. Along side, the algebraic methods of writing and reasoning and logical methods for arriving at conclusions will be introduced in a direct,  do-this, do that manner to serve quantitative skill development. The should be introduced with take home value, to foster sharper wits for reasoning & writing in work and study, and to provide a wide base and practical motivation/context for a fuller but optional  Euclidean approach to "derive" or codify or frame mathematics practices, or a large subset of them, in terms of logical consequences of axioms - assumed patterns. 

The boot-up at the pre-K and primary level  may cover (not all in order)  counting and further operations with decimals - including exact arithmetic with units of money to two decimal places and site shortcuts for prime factorization of whole numbers < 169;   arithmetic with units and mixed units of measure for lengths and time;  arithmetic with fractions where the mixed units are now whole, halves, thirds, quarters and so on; and fraction arithmetic with units of measure, to enable calculations with time-speed-distance and more general rates describing proportionality of quantities with different units of measure.

The boot-up process and the logic development both provide stories to follow and repeat.  The early ability to remember sensations (sights, sounds, taste, touch, ...), to tell or communicates past events and future possibilities, and to master skills alone and one after another is a base for skill  development and knowledge, fictional or not. 

While my secondary mathematics education emphasized logic and the derivation of theorems from axioms, there is a possibility of recognizing common practices in counting (the assumption that counts have to be independent of  counting methods have to give the same result) and in the practical use of maps and plans (tacit assumptions about similarity and coordinates) may be explicitly employed to develop and imply what mathematicians would call the field, order and completeness properties of real and complex numbers.  Those properties may serve as a base for the modern mathematics that follows those properties.  The derivation of those properties from set theory may be left to advanced undergraduate course in mathematics.  That said,  before such courses are taken,  the formalism of modern mathematics in earlier mathematics should be introduced when and only when it aids the development of skills and  ideas -  the precalculus treatment of probability theory and functions provide examples of that.  But beyond that formalism should be employed where it speed learning or does no harm.  

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Parents: Help your child or teen learn:

Parent-friendly Work Booklets for ages 3+ to 13 Use these or others to check or build skills.

Mathematics Skills For Ages 3 to 14

Skills with take home value

Basic skills include time-date-calendar Matters; money matters; map, plan and scale diagram matters;counting, measuring and figuring; decision making with logic and likelyhood; being careful and being aware of the domino effect of mistakes; reading and writing with precision.

Is your child able to add, subtract and multiply amounts of money, work with fractions, work with clocks and calendars, work with maps and plans, and measure length, weight-mass and volume? Schools may promote your son or daughter without providing basic skills in reading, writing and arithmetic.

Arithmetic and Number Theory Skills

Algebra Starter Lessons

1 Working With Sets
2 Formula Forward Use - Evaluation
3 Solving Linear Equations - Skip first step with students able to solve 1 eqn in 1 unknown.
4 Computation Rules and Function Notation
5 Real Numbers
6 More Less Greater Than Inequalities and Comparison
7 Axioms Logic and Equivalent Equations
8 Unifying Theme For Algebra
9 Proportionality Backwards and Forwards
10 Examples of Algebraic Reasoning
A Origins of Counting and Figuring Methods
B Real Numbers Extrinsic Development


Site coverage of formuala evaluation format, of computation rules and axioms, and of the forward and backward use of formulas and proportionality relations lessens the amount of natural talent needed to understand and explain algebra.

Geometry - maps plans trigonometry vectors

1 Maps Plans Measurement
2 Euclidean Geometry - Constructions + extras
3 Cartesian and Polar Coordinates
4 Lines and Slopes Take 1
5 What is Similarity
6 Trigonometry first steps
7 Complex Numbers
8 Unit-Circle Trigonometry
9 Lines and Slopes Take 2 with tangent function
10 Intersecting Straight Lines and Transversals
11 Parallel Straight Lines and Transversals
12 Function Translating and Rescaling
13 Vectors
14 Degrees to Radians and Radians to Degrees
15 Arc or Inverse Trigonometric Function

Pre-Teen and young teen mastery of skills and practices which should be common with map-plans-diagrams drawn to scale, contour interpretation included, has actual or potential take-home value for daily- and adult-life in solving routine problems. Elevating some practices to principles, axioms or postualates, provides a base for analytic and Euclidean geometry, an analytic view of similarity, and an efficient mastery of trigonometry and complex numbers. Right triangle trigonometry provide an analytic alternative to solving geometric problems by drawing diagrams to scale.

More Algebra

Natural-Logarithms Exponentials Powers Roots
Five Polynomial Operations
Quadratics Geometrically
Functions
5 Factored Polynomial Sign Analysis Examples
Rewriting algebraic substitution as function substitutions

The first topic leads to a full high school level theory for the forward and backward mastery of growth and decay models and for definition, range and domains of radicals, roots and powers. The next two topics make quadratics and polynomials easier to learn and teach. Site coverage of functions turns vertical and horizontal line rules into computation methods for evaluating functions.

70 Calculus Starter Lessons


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Logic-Reason for all
Careful Thinking
Chains of Reason
Mathematical Induction
Responsibility
Bodies-of-Knowledge

Arithmetic - Ages 10+
1. Deciml Place Value - fun
2. Decimals for Tutors
3. Prime Factors - quickly
4. Fractions + Ratios
5. Arith with units - science

Geometry
1 Maps + Plans Use
2 Euclidean Geometry
3 Rct +Polr Coordinates
4 Lines-Slopes [I]
5. What is Similarity
Algebra Starters - the base
1. Better Work Format
2. Solve Linear Eqns
3. Computation Rules
4. Axioms, Item 3 Viewpnt
5. Formulas Backwards
More Algebra
Logarithms-ax & m/nth roots
Five Polynomial Operations
Quadratics Geometrically
Functions || Vectors too
Arith. Skill Check+Answers
Calculus Prep/Preview
What is a Variable
Why study slopes
Why factor polynomials
Complex Numbers
Limits + Continuity

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