This is our second topic by e-mail request. I also plan to post a method for determining the greatest common factor of two numbers using only subtraction as an operation shortly. You can learn to calculate logarithms by hand here. Also, check out the sidebar on the right for the new “Bureau 42 Teaches” link compilation page.
Tag Archives: education
Teaching Tidbit: Calculating Square Roots by Hand
This topic chosen to satisfy an e-mail request. It is entirely possible to calculate square roots without the aid of an electronic or mechanical device more advanced than a pencil. More on this, and about choosing content, frequency, and presentation of these lessons comes after the break.
Teaching Tidbit: Learn to Convert Repeating Decimals into Fractions
This summer we’ll see Bureau 42’s first summer school session, which covers graduate level quantum physics with grade school math. I had a blast writing it, and will probably write more educational columns in math, physics, and more. (Summer school topics have already been chosen through 2015, featuring contributions from multiple site authors.) Well, not all topics warrant the full summer course treatment, and cover only single lessons at a time. Those will be posted at random intervals right here. Here’s the first topic: turning repeating decimals into fractions. The algorithm can be followed and applied by just about anybody, though the explanation will be easier to deal with if you’re comfortable with high school math. I am also willing to take requests if there’s something you want to learn. I’m not omniscient, but if it’s math and/or physics, I can probably manage it.
Why the LHC?
Many moons ago, I mentioned that I’d be doing a talk about the LHC for local high schools, and offered to post the core of that talk for anyone to access. I’ve finally done so. If you’re interested in a “nutshell” discussion of the LHC aimed at high school physics students, you can find the contents here.
Textbook Review – “Fundamentals of Item Response Theory”
And now for something entirely unrelated to superheroes.
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Textbook Review – “The Ethics of Teaching”
Here’s another textbook review. This one is aimed at Education students, and others interested in decision making in the educational field.
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