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Re: if using Mathematica to solve an algebraic problem

  • To: mathgroup at smc.vnet.net
  • Subject: [mg109134] Re: if using Mathematica to solve an algebraic problem
  • From: Helen Read <hpr at together.net>
  • Date: Mon, 19 Apr 2010 04:09:15 -0400 (EDT)
  • References: <hq0mpn$k0c$1@smc.vnet.net>
  • Reply-to: read at cems.uvm.edu

On 4/12/2010 11:01 PM, Murray Eisenberg wrote:
> My anecdotal experience has been that there is a high correlation
> between using Mathematica well and being able to do the corresponding
> paper-and-pencil calculations.  (Perhaps some third, underlying variable
> explaining the correlation?)

I have observed this as well. Sometimes students will tell me "I could 
do it on paper, but I can't figure out how to get Mathematica to do it." 
When I ask them, OK, tell me how you would do it on paper, it turns out 
they *don't* know how to do the problem at all. The problem for these 
students isn't Mathematica, it's a lack of understanding the mathematics.

--
Helen Read
University of Vermont


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