Teach Your Kids Algebra: The Quadratic Formula
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Joe_Pagano]Joe Pagano
When I first saw the quadratic formula, I was amazed that there existed such a thing no less a way to derive this elegant formula. For those who remember, this formula gives a sure-fire way of getting the solution to those things we call quadratic, or second-degree equations, in mathematics. For many students, this formula is a nightmare of grand proportions and its mastery seems no more probable than striking it rich with the lottery. However, with some novel techniques and some different approaches, the mastery of this formula—which provides a linchpin to understanding algebra on a deeper level—becomes a walk in the park.
In fairness to the readers out there who are not familiar with my writings and teachings, let me point out to them that getting to the heart of the matter has always been my prime focus in whatever subject or course I am teaching. The core of the Wiz Kid Teaching Philosophy, which I have created and catalogued over the past twenty years or so, hinges on getting right to the heart of the matter. Another way of putting this, albeit more luridly, is that I like to go right for the jugular. Such is the case in teaching the quadratic formula.
In my Wiz Kid Algebracadabra series, I teach the method of quadratic compression. Basically, this method “chunks” the quadratic formula down to pieces, each of which is easily digested by the student. The quadratic formula is indeed a mouthful; however, the chunked-down version is quite manageable. Moreover, once students see this method, they start to realize that they can apply this methodology to other areas of their studies, coming out ahead of the pack and obviating much of their frustration and confusion.
The beauty of the Method of Quadratic Compression is that it takes a difficult formula and decomposes it into a few easy pieces. Once students see this, they are no longer intimidated by this famous formula; moreover, they are less inclined to be intimidated in the future by newly introduced formulas and equations. Now what could be better than that. No fear equals enhanced scholastic success. And you know what parents?: when your kids do well in school, you can go about your life with less headaches. That’s a deal everyone can live with.
See more at [http://www.mathbyjoe.com/catalog/item/2924777/3476352.htm]Algebra Ebook and [http://www.mathbyjoe.com/page/page/2908604.htm]Help with Math
Joe is a prolific writer of self-help and educational material and an award-winning former teacher of both college and high school mathematics. Under the penname, JC Page, Joe authored Arithmetic Magic, the little classic on the ABC’s of arithmetic. Joe is also author of the charming self-help ebook, Making a Good Impression Every Time: The Secret to Instant Popularity; the original collection of poetry, Poems for the Mathematically Insecure, and the short but highly effective fraction troubleshooter Fractions for the Faint of Heart. The diverse genre of his writings (novel, short story, essay, script, and poetry)—particularly in regard to its educational flavor— continues to captivate readers and to earn him recognition.
Joe propagates his teaching philosophy through his articles and books and is dedicated to helping educate children living in impoverished countries. Toward this end, he donates a portion of the proceeds from the sale of every ebook. For more information go to http://www.mathbyjoe.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Pagano http://EzineArticles.com/?Teach-Your-Kids-Algebra:-The-Quadratic-Formula&id=467798
Related News:
Why Is Math Crucial To Your Kids' Future?
If you are good in math, then you are blessed with lots of career choices that you can get into. Having math skills will enable you to make more money and save you tons of it when it comes to paying for your living expenses. Here is how...
Challenges with Integrated Math
While most Math tutors and parents were taught Mathematics by using traditional method such as memorization, the Integrated Math teaches math in a real-life context.
Football-Themed Math Competition
Solving pre-calculus and calculus problems based on the physics, geometry and ratios of football at the Numbers Crunch high school math competition.
Unfolding Mysteries Using Trigonometry
High School kids are taught to use Trigonometry to figure out how weapons were used at the crime scene.
Family math night gives good game
BY JACI CONRAD-PEARSON, Black Hills Pioneer According to Math Recovery teacher and event organizer Pam Smith, "The first grade teachers were great in ...
Black Hills Pioneer, SD
Math is more than numbers
"Beginning math is boring, let's not pretend otherwise," said Devlin, executive director of the university's Center for the Study of Language and ...
San Jose Mercury News, USA
Related Articles:
Online Math Tutoring and Instruction -- Let's Go Learn Releases Unique Math for Basic Math Instruction
Let's Go Learn's Unique Math provides a combination of online basic math skills assessment and differentiated math instruction.
Project GRAD USA Adds Musical Mathematics to Math Curriculum
Project GRAD USA, the non-profit organization that works to increase graduation rates of students from economically disadvantaged communities, will adopt the Musical Mathematics® learning program from Educational Dynamix as part of their curriculum as they expand to new sites. The decision to make them available nationally comes after a one year evaluation period in the schools supported by Project GRAD Atlanta.
Algebra in Real Life
Who was Fibonacci, and why was he so important Fibonacci was also called Leonardo of Pisa
History of Mathematics
If you've taken a first-year college history course - or read through a basic history textbook - you may have noticed a small gap It's only a thousand years or so
Pre-Calculus Lesson Module Posted on MathAmazement.com
MathAmazement.com has just completed a Pre-Calculus module that consists of twelve chapters, each with 5-12 sections. Each section contain sample problems along with solutions so that students can learn without needing to purchase a textbook.
iXsystems Announces Release of PC-BSD Version 7.0, Fibonacci Edition
Release features FreeBSD 7, KDE 4.1, and Dual-Head Monitor Configuration Support
How Parents Can Find Answers to a Child's Mathematics Problems
According to some research reports, few students are referred to special education testing for mathematical disabilities In fact, mathematical disabilities do not exist as a structured whole in testing situations but rather as a group of abilities, usually distilled into the arithmetic or computational disability
The Mathematics of Persuasive Communication
he Mathematics of Persuasive Communication by Philip Yaffe At first glance mathematics and persuasive communication ? writing, and particularly public speaking - would seem to have little in common. After all, mathematics is an objective science, whilst speaking involves voice quality, inflection, eye contact, personality, body language, and other subjective components. However, under the surface they are very similar. Above anything else, the success of an oral presentation depends on the precision of its structure. Mathematics is all about precision. It is therefore not so odd to think that applying some of the concepts of mathematics to oral presentations could make them substantially more effective. As they say in the film industry, ...
Educational Dynamics Publishes Student Activity Books to Accompany Musical Mathematics Skip Counting CD
Educational products and services firm publishes student activity books to complement existing line of Musical Mathmatics CDs. Activity books and CDs introduce skip counting along with music to help elementary age children develop critical math skills including number sense and numeration, geometry, measurement, algebra, and data analysis and probability.
The Villages at Carver Family YMCA Adopts Musical Mathematics for Youth Enrichment Program
Through a collaborative effort with educational products and consulting firm, Education Dynamix, the Villages at Carver Family YMCA will be the first member of the YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta to use the Musical Mathematics program with elementary school students enrolled in their after school program.
Calculus as an Integral Part of Our Education
The term calculus was derived from the Latin word for small stone used for counting Indeed this small branch of mathematics once developed has helped us to count on various modern inventions
Mathematics - We're Counting on Help from Parents
Please don't give your child an excuse to dislike math by making comments about your own school experiences with it or your distaste for it. It is important for parents to be positive, active supporters of the learning process to help encourage a child.
New Videos, Seminars on Sacred Geometry Offered by Artist Charles Gilchrist
Internationally heralded artist Charles L. Gilchrist, fresh off the success of his acclaimed website, has introduced a new video on YouTube, a series of live seminars based on Sacred Geometry, and other educational efforts aimed at achieving what he calls "the path to enlightenment."
The Need of Algebra and Geometry Help
At the secondary school level, geometry is better known as Euclidean geometry and is defined as the study of plane relationships It begins with a set of ten axioms and common notions upon which is built a comprehensive system that is both deductive and logical
Mathematics in Daily Life
Waxing eloquently on the basic importance of Mathematics in human life, Roger Bacon (1214-1294), an English Franciscan friar, philosopher, scientist and scholar of the 13th century, once stated: "Neglect of mathematics works injury to all knowledge, since he who is ignorant of it cannot know the other sciences or the things of the world." And the ingenuity of his statement is there before us to see, in this Internet era. However, mathematics, in itself, has all the ingredients that make it a universal language shared by all human beings irrespective of culture, religion, or gender. Pi is always 3.14159 regardless of where we are. Similarly, the elemental mathematical processes (like addition, subtraction, etc.) never get changed due to...