maths help !!

[Guest55]

Martin - you are misleading people - algebra is not needed for this problem at all.

Algebra is best left to specialists to teach otherwise it is used inappropriately.

Post a question you think is quicker using algebra and where it comes from - this one certainly isn't quicker.

[Martin_Procter]

Guest 55 - We have to disagree on this.

I have seen cases where Algebra can be taught successfully to children of this age. In order to excel in the entrance exams for independent schools and super-selective state schools, you need to go beyond what is normally taught as part of Key stage 2.

Yes I know that schools (state schools in particular) are careful to only phrase 11 plus questions that could feasibly be done without any secondary school Maths; however knowing secondary school Maths really does help with the more difficult questions.

If you seek a question where algebra is useful, look at the posting by russet whose daughter seemed comfortable with algebra for the question posed by rejim2.

The idea of one particular method being the only method to use, is against the best principles of teaching Maths and will not help our brightest kids pass the 11 plus and take their rightful places in the most academic secondary schools. We need to engage the brightest 10 year olds will all the Maths that they are capable of handling.

Don’t misunderstand me - The KS2 state curriculum is a good document and provides a very good framework for all primary school children, including the brightest. I just think that we owe it to the brightest to push them further; the various 11 plus exams will certainly reward those who have learnt methods not covered in the KS2 state curriculum.

[Guest55]

I see you have not accepted my challenge ... post a question please where algebra is a better approach.

Maths is about seeking the best approach to a question - that is NOT restricting methods but selecting the most efficient.

Have you read the ACME paper at all? Acceleration is counter-productive and damaging.

[Martin_Procter]

I don't think this is particularly constructive. I plan not to post to this for a few days to let things calm down.

But I repeat - If you seek a question where algebra is useful, look at the posting by russet whose daughter seemed comfortable with algebra for the question posed by rejim2.

[Guest55]

I disagree - it's an important point.

The only people wanting to teach algebra are 11+ tutors ... Year 7 teachers spend ages untangling misconceptions and overuse of inappropriate methods.

[russet]

I assure you my dd's maths is not awash with ill taught misconceptions. Most maths problems have more than one way to solve them. A child who is comfortable with algebra could well use it in the example given. I cannot see she could have solved it quicker by writing her 4 times table and comparing it with the three times table plus 2. This, however, would also have been perfectly valid solution.

[Guest55]

Did I say 'all children'?

However poor teaching of algebra by tutors is one of the banes of a secondary maths teacher's life. They cannot recognise that a problem like:

Two cup of coffee and a biscuit cost £2.20.
One cup of coffee and two biscuits costs £1.40.
How much is a cup of coffee and a biscuit?

Requires no algebra whatsoever and can be answered in a few seconds.

[dyslexichelpneeded]

Please could you post how?

[Guest55]

The total for 3 cups of coffee and 3 biscuits is £3.60 so one of each is £1.20 - no algebra at all.

[dyslexichelpneeded]

Ah, had read it as price of 1 biscuit and price of 1 coffee. I got an answer to this alternative via a vaguely algebraic route, then trial and improvement. Curious to know your recommendation.