Math Is Fun Forum

Hi Bob 

Moving on, as I don’t want to lose momentum with the young lady, I looked at what the equivalent was of “parts of grammar” for algebra.  I saw that it was “parts of an equation” on the introduction page https://www.mathsisfun.com/algebra/definitions.html

Algebra is like a pop group, I thought.

VAR – Variable, the mystery member of the group.  Doesn’t say much, but what is said is important.  Var hides inside a cloak for most of the performance, only showing the costume in the solution.

CON – Constant, the dependable one that doesn’t change.  Can be either a number or a letter, but whichever outfit is picked, it stays for the whole performance.

OPE – Operator, the bossy one, telling everyone how to perform.  Ope sets the tone of the performance, the layout of the set, and the result in the solution.

COE – Coefficient, the talkative one that parrots Var’s words.  A coefficient always multiplies a variable.  Whatever shyness or little glimpses there may be of Var, Coe will make Var look much bigger during the performance.  But Var remains the most important part of the solution in the finale.

And, of course, there is not only the performance itself, but as part of it, the build-up to the finale, in which the skin-tingling, blood-pumping, show-stopping solution is the best part of the performance.  An act can perform all sorts of hits in the run-up to the finale.  Some of them will be a favourite song, some will be less favourite, but all combine to create a great show.  There should even be an encore - where the solution gets checked - and which runs through 'favourite pieces' again.

  Glenys

Hi Bob 

Thank you for both the encouragement and the background information on MIF.  It's good to know who is behind a given site, and a little of what its history is.

Let's see if this will work, then

I've created a Google photo album called "Algebra Smile Emoji (MathsisFun)": https://photos.app.goo.gl/cJfK24PsUJgqDfZC7

Here you should see a representative image borrowed from MathsIsFun, to explain the progression, an antique balance scale (borrowed via Google search), and 3 images showing how the suggestion illustrates, using the sample questions from the quiz at https://www.mathsisfun.com/algebra/introduction.html

My note for the young lady states that the smiley emoji illustrates the principle of "What is done to one side must also be done to the other side", but it also illustrates this basic level of algebra, which is that "algebra is a maths statement that: The maths on one side is equal to the maths on the other side" (in other words, both sides are equal, both sides balance).

I'll go to the next translation section in a separate message, and using separate albums for each.  Then there's no difficulty following them, and that should assist any other readers of the thread.

Thank you again 
Glenys

Hi Bob 

I have had a go through the first few pages of the Algebra index, thank you.  In trying to translate these concepts for the young lady, I found that the balancing analogy (with judicial scales) made me remember that there are alternative types of scales.  The outline of antique balance scales bears a passing resemblance to a wink emoji.

Translating this balance analogy means that as you work through the various simple examples given on the site, you can check that you have completed the balance by putting a ring around both sides, and a link curve underneath (giving a smiley emoji).  This is followed by cancelling out, leaving the answer of 'x' on one side, the equals sign in the middle and the answer on the other side, again putting a ring around them, and a linking curve underneath: a second smiley emoji.

This technique will enable her to remember to balance each side.  If I can work out how, I’ll put up a photo of the page of samples I did.

I tried the sample page of questions, and found that several of them were actually more technically advanced than the level of the page they linked from ( https://www.mathsisfun.com/algebra/introduction.html ).

On that note, if you have any contact with the designer of the Algebra Index, they would do well to move the Algebra Definitions to the top of the Index.  I was working through in the order the pages were presented, and found a good deal wasn’t explained to my satisfaction, which the Definitions helped somewhat with.

But not to worry, I’ve figured out a bit more, and would like to check each aspect as I devise a translation for it, if that’s ok 

Glenys

Hi all, part 2 ...

I am in fact so out of date of using forums and other discussion groups, that I registered, and then posted under the guest listing.  I'm sorry.  But this post is in my registered entity, where the original is in my unregistered one.

Glenys