Maths? You any good at it?

[cee-dee]

Maths. Hate maths? Good at maths? Can't make top nor tail of maths?

When I was at school (yep, I went to school!) we had a nutty maths teacher who just lived for maths. The thing is, some of the things he taught I've never forgotton so I wonder what he would have made of the Common Core methods?

I was browsing the BBC website and saw this report:-

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-35788369

Which led on to this video :- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSVTzQlqbp0

Now then, who the heck thought of doing things that way? How on earth can you visualise doing that mentally?

I think anyone contemplating changing anything should only promote changes which are simpler not more complicated. I wonder how many kids minds just went blank when they were trying to get to grips with that lot?

Next thing is they'll be trying to get kids to understand the significance of the numbers on a roulette wheel adding up to 666.

[evoman3957]

I presume that means when X, Y & Z have predetermined values of course, because if they are open to representing variable values; there could be a whole number solution.

[upthecreekyetagain]

x, y and z are all integers 

the he whole basis of the theorem is that there is no whole number solution 

[cee-dee]

Isn't that all getting away from maths as being taught in schools?

Fiddling and messing about with numbers like that has no practical purpose and is surely just another thing for people with too much time on their hands to play about with?

[evoman3957]

But what integers.......predetermined integers or any integers.......because if  x=5, y=6 & z=11 and n=3 ( over 2 as stated ) it would equate..........and 5,6 & 11 are all integers.

[fallen-archie]

Not really, if maths is to be made more attractive then it would help if people had a better understanding of what can be achieved. With modern powerful computers, science has opened up a whole new exciting world where mathematical modelling can measure, design and plan cause and effect across a host of projects with amazing accuracy and without anyone getting hurt. Yes it starts by getting youngsters into maths which is where you came in, make counting fun, keep basic computing in your head and the world is your oyster.

[evoman3957]

I've always found Maths fascinating, after all it controls our lives and the universe; from escape velocities of planets ( handy to know, if we're ever going to get off of this one and on & off others ) to chance theory and probability theory.  If kids could be taught to understand that numbers and figures are their friends, not their enemies.....they might begin to find them as fascinating as I have......as well as opening their eyes to a wealth of understanding.

[cee-dee]

Taking stock of my OP, I don't understand what all this pointless fiddling about has to do with teaching kids how to add up.

All that garbage thrown in to any discussion about basic arithmetic around someone who can't add a three-figure number to a two figure number is only going to ensure their eyes glaze over, their mind go blank and them not take any further interest in the subject.

To use an anomaly (yet again), it's like trying to roof a house before the foundations are constructed.

To use another anomaly, it's a bit like messing around with a chip saying "Oh look, if I apply a DC voltage to pin 16, ground pin 5, apply an AC current to pin 13 and a square wave to pin 29, I can make it ........."

When asked what that result could be used for, you might get an answer like "Er, well, um, nothing but it's cool isn't it?"

[evoman3957]

The irony of it is, that the ones it could benefit the most.........household budgeting etc. are the greatest group that have the least understanding of Maths.

[cee-dee]

As with most things, the KISS principle is also the way to good household economics.

[jd.linklater]

Here's a maths problem for anyone who's interested. I backed three horses at Cheltenham today, had £1 each way on each and a £2 each way treble, total stake £10. Had a winner at 5/1 and two 2nds at 16/1. Assuming it's 1/4 the odds for a place, how much should I get back? I've used an online betting odds calculator and my calculations don't agree with their result.

  

[cee-dee]

I'd assume your assumption was wrong for a start. They might pay a fifth of the odds.

[evoman3957]

It's been a while since I had a dabble myself but, unless things have changed, as far as the each way treble is concerned; won't you lose the winning part of that, because the other 2 came second..........so the whole thing will pay out on place only and the £2 win part will be lost. All have to win to get the win part.........maybe that's where the anomaly is.

[fallen-archie]

No idea JD, I would imagine you will see a healthy return on your bet, enough to keep your leccy meter topped up for a week or two and the radio rentals tv 😆

[fallen-archie]

Surely an each way bet including a treble would accumulate from each win and place depending on the number of runners, the odds suggest there were plenty.

[cee-dee]

Why don't you post your assumption of your winnings (for each bet) here and also what their result is?

[evoman3957]

5/1 winner= £1 x 5 = £6

                      £1 x ( evens...roughly ) 1/4 odds = £2

                      Total = £8

16/1 seconds = £1 x 4 ( 1/4 odds ) = £5 ( twice )

                      Total = £10

Treble = Evens £2 x 4/1 x 4/1 = £50

Grand Total = £68

That's just off the top of my head and is a minimum........is that close to what you were expecting ??

[evoman3957]

Have a go on this, according to this; the E/W treble alone comes to more than I said.......when you put in the figures you quoted.

https://www.aceodds.com/bet-calculator/treble.html

[upthecreekyetagain]

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@evoman3957 wrote:

But what integers.......predetermined integers or any integers.......because if  x=5, y=6 & z=11 and n=3 ( over 2 as stated ) it would equate..........and 5,6 & 11 are all integers.

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The equation is x to the power of n + y to the power of n = z to the power of n

5 cubed, (25), plus 6 cubed, (36) doesn't equal 11 cubed, (132)

Messing around with numbers is most certainly not a waste of time!  Some of the biggest discoveries of our time come from 'messing around with numbers' including most of the tools used by civil engineers, navigators and even the theory of relativity.

[cee-dee]

People who achieved something with numbers were trying to DO something, they weren't just juggling numbers for the heck of it.

[jd.linklater]

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@cee-dee wrote:

Why don't you post your assumption of your winnings (for each bet) here and also what their result is?

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The single each way bets are easy enough to work out and I make the return on them £14.25, the website says £18.25. 

I realise that the winning treble is a lost bet but when I work out the place treble at 1/4 the odds I come up with £62.50 the website makes it £112.50, I must be doing something wrong but I don't where the mistake is.

I make my total return £76.75, they make it £130.75.