Ever come up with your own methods to do math?

Verbatim · February 25, 2016, 09:49:55 AM

I've started taking some math classes this semester. It sucks, so I've been trying to wade through some of the more pleasant memories I've had with my prior math classes in high school.

I always liked coming up with alternate methods to whatever it was I was being taught at the time. For example, when I was a freshman in high school, I came up with a nice little method that would allow you turn any repeating decimal into a fraction without the use of a calculator (because I hate working with calculators).

My teacher told us that we had to use our calculator to work it out, which I honestly thought was lazy teaching--why is it okay to use our calculators for this, but not for anything else? So, after I came up with an alternate solution, and tested it out, I ended up using it to great effect on one of her tests.

Later, she asked me just what the hell I was doing. I explained, and she ended up being so impressed, that she actually let me teach the method to the whole class the next day. It was cool.

Have you ever done anything like this?

To my understanding, some teachers will actually demerit you for coming up with your own methods.
That's pretty stupid, if you ask me. Has that ever happened?

rC · February 25, 2016, 09:53:06 AM

i figured out the power rule in calc 1 before it was taught. that was a fun day

Naru · February 25, 2016, 09:55:12 AM

I usually just cry when I see calculus

gats · February 25, 2016, 09:58:03 AM

Nah too dumd

Cheat · February 25, 2016, 10:04:24 AM

Trigonometry / Calc guess and check. It works surprisingly well sometimes.

N/A · February 25, 2016, 10:04:29 AM

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Casper · February 25, 2016, 10:56:49 AM

Yeah, it was called quitting

Verbatim · February 25, 2016, 11:01:06 AM

Quote from: Casper on February 25, 2016, 10:56:49 AM

Yeah, it was called quitting

i'm looking straight down on you

from my high horse

on my pedestal

Pippen · February 25, 2016, 11:04:23 AM

I wouldn't say I do it too differently from the norm.

It's more the thought process that changes for me. What I think about. And since everyone who teaches me tends to teach the thought process differently it makes it REALLY difficult.

Naru · February 25, 2016, 11:07:14 AM

God memorizing formulas is so gay

mojo · February 25, 2016, 11:08:59 AM

Quote from: NariesXcummies on February 25, 2016, 11:07:14 AM

God memorizing formulas is so gay

memorization isnt that bad imo

Deesbee · February 25, 2016, 11:17:33 AM

I have a great method. It's call not doing Math cause i'm not a fucking nerd 8l.

Verbatim · February 25, 2016, 11:18:34 AM

Quote from: Mr Whiteflame on February 25, 2016, 11:17:33 AM

I have a great method. It's call not doing Math cause i'm not a fucking nerd 8l.

LEL, YOU KNOW I'M GONNA BE YOUR BOSS ONE DAY XDDDD

True Turquoise · February 25, 2016, 11:26:12 AM

I count my toes

Oh · February 25, 2016, 11:26:28 AM

i'm doing a maths degree, so sorta yeah.

Sandtrap · February 25, 2016, 11:28:17 AM

Yeah. I had a teacher like that. Was really strict in the method. But his methods were really poor. So I'd go home with homework I didn't know what the fuck to do with. My mother showed me alternative methods for figuring things out that actually made sense to me.

But when I ended up using those methods in school, good ole' teach marked them wrong because I wasn't using the established formula.

I was never good with math to begin with, so I never really came up with stuff on my own. But boy oh boy did those grades plummet when I was forced to use the stuff being taught rather than the alternatives I could have used.

Ingy · February 25, 2016, 11:34:49 AM

Back in middle school and shit

Calculus is too complicated for that

Sandtrap · February 25, 2016, 11:35:11 AM

Oh shit, wait, I did do something neat. I had a lot of trouble with memorizing my multiplication tables as a kid. So, I had an idea one day. I had this catchy song stuck in my head. I didn't even like it. But it gave me the idea about making something stick in my head.

I started singing my multiplication tables in little tunes, and I'd practice it every day after school. And damn did that ever work.

I can still hear the tune and remember the numbers even now.

big dog · February 25, 2016, 11:36:36 AM

During Further Maths A-Level there were several times where my group "broke maths", particularly with regards to integration and volumes.

Black Phillip · February 25, 2016, 02:15:51 PM

I independently came up with a method similar to common core.

Dietrich Six · February 25, 2016, 02:54:07 PM

I invented common core to fuck with parents.

Jocephalopod · February 25, 2016, 02:55:41 PM

haha yup, when my teacher found out I had the forbidden knowledge he tried to point blank execute me with the school gun

N/A · February 25, 2016, 03:01:54 PM

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Fear · February 25, 2016, 03:06:18 PM

tbh if you don't do this, you're not actually learning math

also if you like that sort of stuff check out project euler

Fear · February 25, 2016, 03:07:38 PM

Quote from: Trump will create waifus on February 25, 2016, 03:01:54 PM

Itt: people thinking that common core is strategies of teaching. It's a set of standards that we have to address in the classroom you dopes. What you're thinking of is just dumb shit that happens in elementary because students are expected to show proficiency in multiple ways of solving a problem rather than just using the method that works best for them.

400+ level math courses are literally just finding shit out on your own

Oh · February 25, 2016, 03:09:00 PM

what is common core?
why is it hated?

velox · February 25, 2016, 03:09:47 PM

I think I have, ye

But I can't actually remember it now

True Turquoise · February 25, 2016, 03:10:41 PM

fear found a math thread

dear god

Jono · February 25, 2016, 03:16:08 PM

I was terrible at math. I cheated on all the tests.