isosceles triangle

11 Plus Maths – Preparation and Information

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Guest55
Posts: 16254
Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 2:21 pm

Re: isosceles triangle

Post by Guest55 »

The choice of sensible letters when using algebra saves a massive amount of time. The bonus is also that they usually remember to say what the letters represent at the beginning and write the solution at the end.
yoyo123
Posts: 8099
Joined: Mon Jun 18, 2007 3:32 pm
Location: East Kent

Re: isosceles triangle

Post by yoyo123 »

Definitely agree, G55.
Presumably this is a question for 10/11 year olds who do not have mastery of algebra. Sensible lettering and talking through a problem both help towards an understanding of what they are doing. Children who work through these steps usually have a greater grasp of the maths later on than those who just follow an algorithm.

We should be doing more to encourage mathematical thinking.
target2016
Posts: 60
Joined: Sun Oct 19, 2014 12:52 pm

Re: isosceles triangle

Post by target2016 »

Absolutely! mathematical thinking is a must... logical steps - analysing, building a math model to the problem, solving it with reasoning and something to verify it's correct using the model etc - as opposed to a hit and trial approach.
Guest55
Posts: 16254
Joined: Mon Feb 12, 2007 2:21 pm

Re: isosceles triangle

Post by Guest55 »

You can eliminate some of the options in the question immediately - trial and improvement is a valid mathematical technique. Indeed there are many equations that can only be solved by such iterative techniques.
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