What's the value of teaching fractions now?

[SimpleSi]

Did I miss something?

 

Its nearly end of term and people are winding down

 

Si

[philwaud]

When you get to more complex Maths, its much easier to deal with complex formulae as fractions. Knowing how to multiply, cancel out etc can massively simplify a problem without ever having to work out an answer.

 

I would say its an essential part of calculus!

 

If you are asking why we teach calculus when we have computers and calculators to work out the answers, you are missing the point of Maths!

 

Phil

[Earthling]

No, it is a specific thing of why we teach it in normal schools.

 

You mean.....there are 'normal' schools?

[localzuk]

I'd say it is a tool that is of very little use to the average child in a school at the age at which it is taught.

 

The only real examples anyone gave have been given as complex maths and super simple maths (ie. diving by 5).

 

I don't think I understand the question - percentages have always been around alongside fractions and yet you talk as if something major has changed in the modern world? Did I miss something?

 

My point is that in 'the normal world', fractions are not used as much any more. We don't work in inches and '1/8s' we don't divide fractions from each other any more. We use decimals.

 

So, why do we continue to teach it as a module as important as percentages in maths to young kids?

[shenley]

A mathematician I know insists fractions are arithmetic not mathematics. I say arithmetic is easy, maths is hard.

 

My dad could measure something in these strange units called feet and inches and divide the length into equal bits, which is handy if you want to space screws evenly for instance. How you divide a length of say 5 feet 3 5/8 inches by 6 in your head is beyond me but he could do it. This is why we teach fractions.

[localzuk]

A mathematician I know insists fractions are arithmetic not mathematics. I say arithmetic is easy, maths is hard.

 

My dad could measure something in these strange units called feet and inches and divide the length into equal bits, which is handy if you want to space screws evenly for instance. How you divide a length of say 5 feet 3 5/8 inches by 6 in your head is beyond me but he could do it. This is why we teach fractions.

 

And we don't use inches any more... We use cm.

[jinnantonnixx]

Fractions drive me nuts. When Dad's involved with any DIY, it's 7"3/8 - 2"3/4. Sends my head spinning.

 

O.T., do you know the perfect way to divide a pizza (or cake for that matter) between two people?

[SteveBentley]

The maths syllabus could do with being a lot more vocationally based. When was the last time (other than a pub quiz) that you needed to know what an isosceles triangle was?

[Hightower]

And we don't use inches any more... We use cm.

 

I use inches. I'm 6' 4", not 1.93 metres. I weigh 16 stone, not 101.6 kilos. Our SmartBoard's are 70" diagonal, the throw is 6' 6".

[pcstru]

A mathematician I know insists fractions are arithmetic not mathematics. I say arithmetic is easy, maths is hard.

It took Bertrand Russel and Alfred Whitehead over 3 years and 370 pages to construct a proof that 1+1 = 2. Easy?

 

Why do we teach fractions? Fractions are division, you can't teach division without reference to fractions. I don't think many would dispute the day to day utility of being able to do division (how many 20p sweets can I buy for £1, how many 50p's for the electric meter can I get from my £20 unemployment giro) or any of the other three basic arithmetic operations (all actually derived from simple addition so why do we bother teaching anything but addition - let them work the rest out for themselves).

[SteveT]

Anyone who calls it "maths" has no understanding of MATH.

 

 

It's Mathematics not Mathematic thus maths not math (Unless you're a Yank)

[mac_shinobi]

It's Mathematics not Mathematic thus maths not math (Unless you're a Yank)

 

I thought it was

 

Arithmetic - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

Could be wrong, the point of doing them is so you have a fraction more knowledge or knowledge about fractions. Rather know something and not need it then need it and not know it ??

[korifugi]

O.T., do you know the perfect way to divide a pizza (or cake for that matter) between two people?

 

What? And share cake? - lets not go crazy here...

[mjs_mjs]

It's Mathematics not Mathematic thus maths not math (Unless you're a Yank)

 

Should be Math's - i've already been pulled up for it once on this discussion.

[GrumbleDook]

And we don't use inches any more... We use cm.

 

Fractions can work for both metric and imperial, so understanding how to do it in both shows you understand and can apply the concepts and skills without being tied down to a single system of measurement. Not all things in life are decimal or binary ...

 

As for real world use, fractions not only apply to numbers but also apply to shapes. The use of fractions can be key in tying in the concepts behind mental comprehension of numbers and physical representations of how those numbers are relevant in the physical world. Fractions can also be key to understanding shortcuts to using numbers ... we know that 50% and half are pretty much the same thing, but to say something is 50% relies on the understanding that the original number is represented as 100, you divide that number by 100 and multiply by 50 to get the result, however 1/2 means the original number (represented as '1') is divided by the 2. Different processes and concepts.

 

Use whichever is appropriate, but understand both.

 

The illustrious Mr Ball did a session on the importance of fractions once (which is where I got most of the above from ... but from memory) and I am sure someone with enough time on the interweb will be able to find the exact video / transcription / reference.

[jinnantonnixx]

What? And share cake? - lets not go crazy here...

 

The solution is beautifully simple:

 

One person cuts the pizza/cake in 'half', the other person chooses which 'half' they want. Works every time.

[SimpleSi]

One person cuts the pizza/cake in 'half', the other person chooses which 'half' they want. Works every time.

SOP in our family - there were 4 of us so we were experts at cutting 4 even slices as well

Si

[SimpleSi]

Should be Math's

 

Are you sure its not maths'?

Si

[SimpleSi]

When was the last time (other than a pub quiz) that you needed to know what an isosceles triangle was?

 

Funny you should mention that - I've had to dig up my old geometry memory recently to try and see if I can approximate a spaceship in eliptic earth orbit using Scratch

But probably not what your average punter is doing

 

Si

[X-13]

So, why do we continue to teach it as a module as important as percentages in maths to young kids?

 

Because it's on the test.

[witch]

Why do you think it is 'math's'?

That would imply that it belongs to someone called 'math' whereas in fact it is a plural, surely?

[Jamo]

Do we not teach fractions because they are an integral part of maths?

 

After all they are just a representation of a value, 4/5 or 4 fifths or 4 divided by 5, they are all representations of the same thing. But they are all integral to maths. When it comes to manipulating them it is vitally important when you are studying physics and maths.

[mjs_mjs]

Why do you think it is 'math's'?

That would imply that it belongs to someone called 'math' whereas in fact it is a plural, surely?

 

only because it is -> it's. mathematics -> math's - i was taught that removing letter(s) meant putting a apostrophe in it's place? (was my English teacher wrong?)

[SimpleSi]

i was taught that removing letter(s) meant putting a apostrophe in it's place?

I like your thinking

Si

[X-13]

Why do you think it is 'math's'?

 

 

It's not maths. At all. With or without an apostrophe.

 

It's math, there is no plural. Like sheep.