Maths Question, There Are 24 Eggs In A Box, 3/8 Of Them Are Broken So How Many Eggs Are Not?

[mk1975]

Hi, my son has maths homework and we are stuck at this question, we need to answer as a fraction and as a whole number.
if you can help us please, thanks

[jim360]

It seems an odd perception, then, Naomi, given that I placed the blame on the teachers. No accusation of stupidity there, is there?

The way Maths has been taught it's clear that it's not being taught properly. I hope that, in my small way, I can work to change that.

[jomifl]

Or even 'arithmetic'

[vulcan42]

A friend of mine, an retired Headmistress,maintains that people learn quicker and remember longer if they're interested in a subject. Something she proved herself when, after retiring took an interest in gardening and within a few years knew the names of plants grown in this country including the Latin ones. She now lectures in horticulture.The problem, to me, seems to be how Teachers are taught, they may know their subject inside out but if they cannot instil and maintain an interest in that subject then they've lost before they have even started.

[naomi24]

Jim, it’s an obvious perception. If you think teaching methods are at fault, instead of introducing mathematical examples which the OP is clearly very unlikely to understand, why not just say so? Communication is about communicating – and your penchant for consistently attempting to demonstrate your knowledge by blinding people with science fails you at the first fence every time – which is why people say they avoid your posts.

[Peter Pedant]

New Judge - they dont call it " fundamental arithmetic" anymore.


and dont worry Mk - one child got his homework back marked:
your rather has misunderstood the question.....

[Peter Pedant]

Come on Naomi of Jim and Jomifl one or both can afford to be poncy about math because they've done a part III in QM

think of it as " Long Sums" or " Very Long Sums"

so I have to say I usually read what they have to say..... just in case I learn something

[jim360]

I did say twice that the teacher was responsible:

"Interpreting a question like this should be easy -- if it's not, then more than likely it was never explained to you properly."

"It seems clear that maths has been taught rather badly for some time now..."

Why not judge my ability to explain by the reaction of the person who asked the question, rather than someone who didn't? So far, whenever I've seen someone reply to my responses, they've said "thank you" for a clear explanation. Graham, who asked the question about inflation, said "Thanks jim, I think I understand more fully now". Psybbo, who didn't, got scared off. Well, if ever psybbo addresses a question to me I'll try to pitch the answer with a bit less science -- because I would want her to understnad. I want anyone to understand my answer, if they ask me. But because the levels are different, so too will the answers.

I've just come out of a session of teaching undergraduate students. I'll take their smiles and gratitude as a sign that, actually, I'm rather good at explaining things clearly at the right level for the person asking. I also spent a few weeks in a High School -- again, my explanations were met with nothing but smiles and gratitude, regardless of the level I was teaching at: from explaining how to use a protractor and measure angles, to solving problems in calculus, every single student I worked with was thankful.

For you to grab the response of someone who didn't ask and claim that I am then unable to explain things clearly is just wrong and wholly unfair.

I don't know if you are trying to be mean and trying to put me down, or just trying in your own way to help. Either way, I'd appreciate it if you kept your opinions about my teaching to yourself. If ever you ask me a question yourself, and if you then find my explanation unclear and unhelpful, then you can judge my ability to explain. Not before.

[naomi24]

Jim, //I'm rather good at explaining things clearly at the right level for the person asking.//

On this occasion I doubt that very much. Toot toot. ;o)

[maggiebee]

Can't believe this has stretched out to 69 posts!! mk1975 was answered very quickly so why?

[New Judge]

It's all my fault.

I was foolish enough to suggest that an adult in the UK should be able to divide 24 by 8 and multiply the result by three and five. Apparently to some AB-ers this is an outrageous suggestion.

[gness]

It was your unkindness and thoughtlessness that was wrong. You were invited to answer a question.....not judge the person asking the question.

[DaisyNonna]

For the children taking part in the end of term play at primary school it is theatrical drama.

[Psybbo]

Jim, when I said you scared me, that was meant to compliment your intellect and that I was slightly in awe of you.
I also annoyed Baldric with a silly comment.

[Baldric]

No ya didn't, I was off anyway!
;o)

[RATTER15]

Due to my dyslexia/dyscalculia I have great difficulty in maths, I could never have worked out that sum.

I get number block, for instance I can count very easily in two's but if I counted to eight and you asked me to add 1, I would go totally blank and the ability to count in two's would be lost for me for possibly ten minutes untill I had regained my thoughts. Difficult to describe but it is fact.

[jim360]

Thanks Psybbo... seems that some people misinterpreted your comment as criticism.

And also thanks Peter, glad you find my posts worthwhile. I do try to make them accessible to whoever asked the question. Inevitably, that risks making the explanations too easy for some people and too hard for others... it's not always possible to satisfy everyone with an explanation. Another difficulty about explaining things here on AB is that you have no chance to interact with the person you are explaining things to... so you have to present the whole thing all at once, decide a level to pitch it at and stick to it all the way. If I ever get that level wrong it wouldn't be surprising, but hopefully with enough feedback I can adjust as needed.

[sherrardk]

NJ, I've known teenagers who can't tie their own shoe laces never mind being able to count to eight. Mk1975 should be applauded for asking for help with something he can't do.

[ludwig]

NJ //I was foolish enough to suggest that an adult in the UK should be able to divide 24 by 8 and multiply the result by three and five. Apparently to some AB-ers this is an outrageous suggestion. //

That's not what happened m'lud. It was your quibbling about the difference between mathematics and arithmetic that caused all the trouble.