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Publication Date

9-19-2019

City

Bellingham, WA

Description

Most math books for college students start out reviewing “rules” in an introductory chapter. The review usually goes like this: here are the “rules”, here are some examples of using those “rules” and here are 10 to 100 exercises where you will practice using those “rules” and then you’ll be tested on them.

The problem with that approach, even if it seems familiar and comfortable to you, is that people learn, in part, by connecting new ideas and perspectives to what they already understand, and correcting any previous misunderstandings. This process takes time and effort. Memorizing rules to quickly retrieve them won’t be useful to you when you are trying to apply mathematics to an unfamiliar situation.

This book will help you grow the habits of mind that will allow you to make problems easier through the use of mathematics. These habits of mind include:

  • attending to your mistakes.
  • connecting new ideas and approaches with prior ideas
  • using those connections to refine and revise your prior understanding and build new knowledge for yourself
  • being precise
  • approaching problems you do not know how to solve with, if not enthusiasm, at least confidence.

Solving problems by transforming difficult-to-understand statements into easier-to-understand ones.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.25710/hc1h-5005

Subjects - Topical (LCSH)

Mathematics--Study and teaching (Higher)

Type

Text

Disciplines

Mathematics

Keywords

college math

Document Type

Book

Rights

Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.

Language

English

Format

application/pdf

Before College Math

Included in

Mathematics Commons

COinS