his folder has a tree like structure. The child, same level and parent level webpages for this webpage follow..

 [ Area Intro ] [ Copy Right Matters ] [ Curriculum Cuts ] [ Intermediate Objectives ] [ MEQ Objectives ]

Up
116 Textbooks
116 Objectives
116 Check List
116 Suggestions
216 Objectives
216 Check List
216 Book Review
216 Nonsense or BullShit
216 Suggestions
314 Objectives
314 Check List
314 Suggestions
416 Objectives
416 Check List
416 Suggestions
436 Objectives
436 Checklist
436 Suggestions
436 Book Reviews
436 Nonsense in
514 Objectives
514 Suggestions
514 Book Reviews
536 Objectives
536 Suggestions
536 Book Reviews

More Links: 

D What to do in School & Why  

E.How to Study Mathematics

Area pages  represent an effort to follow and understand the objectives of the 1997-2005, the prior reform, and the text books required and used 1997-2005. In retrospect, the objectives and texts in question are too incoherent, too full of nonsense, for rational comprehension and for service as a base for the current reform.    A farce is a farce, is a farce

Book Reviews 536. 

The MEQ has approved two instructional packages for use as texts in Mathematics 536.

(1) Addison-Wesley Mathematics 11, Québec Edition ©1994

Instructional Package

Certificate emitted November 30, 1994

Here is a professionally written textbook.  The language in the textbook is mathematically sound.  It develops ideas in  a deductive manner. The treatment of spheres, cones and cylinders, a possible exception, emphasizes some physical relations between their volumes.    This work focuses on the mathematics. The exposition is self-contained. The teacher guide has fewer pages than the text.  Use of this textbook appears to be rare.  

(2) Mathematical Reflections 536 ©1999

Instructional Package

Mathematical Reflections, Secondary V, 536, Books 1, Guy Breton  et al. ISBN to be determined 

The diction or language quality in this  work  is far below the level of Addison-Wesley Mathematics 11,  

1. In the LexiMath page 164, absolute value is described with words and in that description the word equivalent should be replaced by the phrase given by. 
   
   The use of words to describe mathematical calculation reminds me of income tax forms where formulas are avoided. 
   
2. In the LexiMath page 164, the phrase change of function is non-standard language.
   
3. In the LexiMath page 164, I would have used the word applied instead of the word follows in the explanation of composition of functions.
   
4. In the LexiMath page 164, add the phrase if it exist to the end of the explanations of Maximum and Minimum.
   
5. The explanations In the LexiMath page 164 of Rounded Numbers, Sign of function, transformed function, truncating (would truncation be better) seem odd or stilted - non-standard English.
   
6. Math Express 2, page 191,  includes an symbolic invention and abomination   where less than  sign < is written above the greater than sign >.  In the sentence, The set of these points forms an open or closed half-plane that shows  the solution set for the inequality, I am must ask, which points?
   
7. Math Express 3, page 224, says "A polygon of constraints is the illustration, on a Cartesian plane, of the solution set of th system of inequalities that represents the constraints of the problem."  That sentence is too long. Moreover, I was under the impression  that that the Polygon bounded constraint region in the plane gave or represent the solution set of the constraint-based system of inequalities.  Saying it is an illustration is very odd.  
   
8. Math Express 3, page 224, includes a sentence "Generally, problems composed of constraints have a precise objective". The  sentence is not clear to me. 
   
9. The sentence "To solve an optimization problem is to look for the solution that generates a minimum or maximum values for the objective within the constraints" is not straightforward or clear prose.
   
10. The LexiMath page 240 includes a few sentences and phrases to explain  or consolidate some concepts.  Some quotes follow.  
    

    Constraint	Condition that is described in words and that can be represented algebraically as an inequality	This is  mathematical invention, true for some constraints but not all.
    Half-plane	graph of the solution set of a first degree inequality in two variables	Simpler word might be used
    Closed Half Plane	A half plane  whose coordinates on the boundary belongs to the solution set of the equality.  ...	Prose could be better.
    Inequality	An algebraic statement consisting of one or more variables and an inequality sign

    The word use is awkward. We have a too literal perspective of mathematical concepts.
    

11. The LexiMath page 338 has includes the following sentences and phrases to review or consolidate some concepts
    

    Theorem	Conjecture that is proved to be true
    Distance between two points	Function that associates a positive real number and a unit with any pair of points
    Projection	Image of another point under an orthogonal projection

    
    Are these explanations from the book clear? Are they in context.
    
12. The Math Express 5, page 370, ends with the following instruction:   
    
    By identifying two order pairs in the rule f(x) = ac^x + k for a given situation, you can determine the values of a and c.  You can then solve a system of two exponentials equations in two unknowns. You can also find the rule for an exponential function by regression using a calculator. 
    
    Low level prose of this kind should not occur in a high school text.
    
13. The Leximath Page, page 428, includes the following. The word use is awkward. We have a too literal perspective of mathematical concepts.
    

    exponential function	a function defined by a rule in which the independent variable is an exponent.
    base of an exponent	A number to which an exponent has been assigned
    Natural Base	Irrational number written as e and whose value is (approx equal sign)  2.718.     Natural Numbers is more standard.

Mathematical Reflections, Secondary V, 536, Books 2, Guy Breton  et al. ISBN to be determined

1. The LexiMath page 314 has consolidates many concepts in ways or words,   technically correct but non-standard.. The explanation or summary of a cycle as the simplest pattern that repeats itself to form the curve of a periodic function misses the connection of the simplest pattern (a rare term) with the shortest or smallest period of the function. The text defines period essentially as what others would call shortest period. 

www.whyslopes.com   [ Back ] [ Up ] [Top of this Page]

Custom www Search

Road Safety Message  Do not walk on a road with your back to the traffic - rule of thumb Please report by email,  errors in mathematics or grammar or terminology to site author If a mathematics topic you need is not covered in site pages,  report that as well. Topics in most demand will be covered first in site growth.

All trademarks and copyrights on this page are owned by their respective owners.
Copyright to comments & contributions are owned by the Poster. 
The Rest © 1995 onward by site author,   Alan Selby (email form) All Rights Reserved.