I'm a Senior Mathematics Teacher in South East Melbourne.
I've been teaching for 3 years, this is my fourth year on the job, and I absolutely love it.
I teach primarily Year 11 and 12 VCE Maths Methods and Specialist Maths.
Fire away!
[AMA] I'm a High School Maths Teacher. Ask Me Anything!
MathNerd on 01/05/2018 - 08:52
closed Comments
Lol.
i can only get 23
20
2560
65
70110
115
120155
160210
215
220255
260305
310
350405
410
450500
600
You are correct! For fun (I'm a total riot at parties ;-p ) I made a spreadsheet of all 512 possible 9 coin combinations, filtered it for those those only use 3 coins, and added the values of the coins up, then sorted and de-duplicated the results, and yep, I agree, there are only 23 combinations, exactly the ones that you listed. Whoever wrote this multiple choice question should have to show their working, as the correct answer is simply not listed.
do you want to have a relationship with any of your students
Thank you for taking your time to do this. We all know ( I assume ) that a smart student can struggle/underperform in math or others subject. And that happens due to suitable/correct environment (finance, family situation, teacher, classroom ect ) not provided.
So, in your experience, is that also true for not so smart/below average students ? I read multiple articles about how some Aussie kids are falling behind in their maths and sciences. Still not sure the cause of their struggle …
Hi Teacher,
Do you think Math is highly relevant to IT and high school kids should do Math & Logic/Programming together so that they have some sort of clear career pathway after school?
yes, a lot of relevance, important to programming. Some uni will make it compulsory for IT student to study some first year maths subject.
Do you have any skills in computer programming?
I have been a hobbyist programmer for the last decade, and over that decade i have ran into so many math problems, some that i cant figure out, and some that i apply my shoddy math skills to and hack it together to make it work (even when i know its inefficient). Especially when it comes to physics/collision math and 3D programming. I'm terrible at math and just know basics, but im sure you could do great things.
Also, heres an interesting question for you. What is an acceptable amount of math that you believe the average person should know to be useful in life? I ask this because, my family & some people around me see me as the goto guy to answer math questions, when really its basic math that i can find the answer to quite fast.
Percentages, divisions, multiplication & different types of measurements i can processes in my head pretty quickly, so somehow i became that math guy. when in reality i know jack about anything outside of basic math. algebra, trig, geom and pretty much anything else i wouldn't have a clue with, but this hasn't seemed to bother or limit me (outside of programming) in life
As someone who works in the education sector, its quite scary how many year 9-12 students don't know basic math that they were probably taught in year 4-7 and must have not picked it up properly.
1 + 2 + 3 + 4 + 5 + … = -1/12
????????
What an incredible read. Thanks for the AMA and the insight :)
Thanks TA for taking the time to click onto here and have a squiz :)
Do you think teachers should work 40hr weeks and have 20 days holiday like most of the rest of the working population?
(yes I know some teachers claim they work from home, but it's unofficial work that may or may not be the right thing to be doing, everyone else has to show their output if they have the luxury of working from home).
What also grinds my gears, is after a 10 week holiday, teachers will take a further 'curriculum' day, meaning parents have to take another day off work to look after their children (since the government decided it's a good idea for both parents to work to afford a house). Then after just 10 weeks back at work (9am to 3pm with 1 hour lunch and 1 hour of breaks = 4 hour working day) they have another 2 week holiday, only to return and take yet another curriculum day!
On top of that, the last week before yet another holiday is "winding down week" where little teaching is done, many consisting of movie days, fancy dress, funny hair days…
Seriously, how many teachers are in it to teach and how many for working half days with 3 months holiday?
I must say, if the condition for teacher is that good, I always wondered if there is a reason why the most capable students, students who got a very high atar are not choosing teaching. Most chose law, commerce and of course the most in demand, medicine.
For one, teachers are not remunerated the best. Teachers generally will require the patience and passion for what they do.
Well you make it sound like the best job in the world…you know you're welcome to go and do it? Actually, you can have my job, im just about to leave the profession.
Hey @MathNerd,
2 Questions:
- What is the best way to teach math to kids in Grade 3/4 with ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) or very poor concentration span ?
- What is the best book to clear GED Math exam with good scores ?
I believe it is a difficult thing to do, you may use a lot of hands on activity. Good luck, of course, need support from your faculty.
when pythagoras came up with his theorem, would he have been high on drugs?
not sure about the drug, but he murdered the person who leaked to the world there are irrational numbers!
actually I think the Egyptian first came up with theorem. They can use it to build pyramid. Pythagoras may be the first mathematician that formalise this rule and also discovered there are irrational numbers which he disliked as he believed everything can be measured using rational numbers.
What is the integral of x to the power of x?
Do you agree that the hardest math is the basic, if they pay enough attention in year 4-10. It would make your job alot easier in year 11 & 12 right? how many times in year 11 & 12 while explaining something new and you have to go back to basic algebra arithmetic ?
42
Why was 6 so sad?
Have you worked as a maths tutor?
Why do we need to learn math when we can just use the calculator app.
I agree, maths beyond the basics is the most useless subject ever. Why do you need to learn maths when a computer can do it all for you?
Hi, I'm a recent maths teacher, legit recent graduate (major in maths and physics with DipEd)
Do you ever get that negative stigma of maths teachers using only textbooks to teach from other faculties? Lol
Do you talk with other teachers from other faculties often?
Do you ever feeling like necking yourself because of a very difficult student/situation then realise they're just kids and get over it the next day?
Do you see your passions for mathematics and teaching translate into the results that your students have been able to achieve?
What is the further extent you've gone to squeeze out a bargain for the sake of a bargain?
The answer lies in your PM. The answer may shock you so brace yourself.
How old were you when you first went on a date?
How old were you when you first had a girlfriend?
How old were you when you had your first kiss?
How old were you when you first met the one?Of course if you do not co-operate we do have ways making talk…
Lastly are you single ATM?
This is a grade 4 advanced math question that fried my brain. Can you please explain how one could work this out?
Q. In his pocket, James has two 5 cent pieces, two 10 cent coins, one 50 cent coin, one $1 coin and three $2 coins. If he takes just three coins out of his pocket, how many different amounts of money could he have in his hand?
A. 14
B. 18
C. 21
D. 24