Reaction Paper on "Solutions to a Math Problem"

Reaction Paper 4 pages (1249 words) Sources: 1

[EXCERPT] . . . .

The other group of students, formed of the creative type, used a graphic representation. They started with a small line they noted as $1.50 (the cost of the first mile), then continued this line with smaller segments, each of $0.90. They added along the way, so, each time they added a line, they would write under $2.40, $3.30 etc. When they reached $18, they stopped, since the remaining $2 would be the tip. Counting the segments, they came up with the same results.

Moving to the interaction phase, there were several interesting things to note. First of all, the students who used the algebraic approach were more assertive in presenting their solution and in imposing it as a group solution. Their arguments were that the algebraic approach is a more mathematical, more professional way to solve the problem.

They would also minimize the graphical solution to the world, as such: "this is not how this problem should be completed, we have used lines and segments as a 3rd grader. The algebraic approach is the mathematical way to obtain a clear solution, this is not a drawing class, it is a math class and you should use math tools."

The "creative thinkers" who used the graphical representation would defend themselves by pointing out that the solutions were the same and that the time used to complete the problem was also similar. To this degree, they stated that "both solutions are just as good, there is no advantage to your solution as compared to ours, since, after all, we came to the same conclusion and used the same amount of time."

At the same time, there was also a reasonable interest and openness from both sides to understand how the other method operated, even if this was manifested in a competitive and assertive way, namely by trying to understand why the other method was not as good as the method used by the individual himself or herself. Each student was keen to accurately describe how his or her method worked and what made it better.

As expected, some of the students in the group contributed little or not at all. On a closer observation, they had actually performed well mathematically and had solved the problem using either one or the other method. However, in the group interaction, they were reticent to bring their contribution and merely assisted on the sidelines.

There are several interesting conclusions to be drawn from this activity. First of all, individually, each student worked well in order to come up with a solution and they did, whether this was a purely mathematical, algebraic one or whether it was one based on a graphical representation and on an estimation of the final solution.

It was usually the girls who worked out the solution graphically and the boys who worked it out algebraically. Although there was no discussion about this, I believe that this was the girls' choice and that they could have also worked out the problem algebraically, but they felt more comfortable using a graphical solution.

The interaction phase reflected the different characteristics of the students, in that they interacted within the group not necessarily depending on their mathematical abilities, but rather on their capacity to communicate within a group and, at the same time, depending on their personal traits: the introverts preferred not to express themselves publically, despite the fact that they had found the appropriate solution.

The ESL student tried to interact and sided with the algebraic team. His role was interesting for the entire exercise because it showed that, despite his difficulties in using his English, he was successful in communicating what his solution was and why this was a better solution. The interesting aspect… READ MORE

How to Reference "Solutions to a Math Problem" Reaction Paper in a Bibliography

Related Reaction Papers:

Solves a Teaching Problem Essay

Solves a Teaching Problem

On the first day that I was to teach at a local college, I was a nervous, organized wreck. I painstakingly separated handouts and my notes… read more

Essay 2 pages (661 words) Sources: 0 Topic: Education / Teaching / Learning

---

How Do We Combat Math Anxiety? Research Paper

Math Anxiety

How to Combat Math Anxiety

Causes for Anxiety

How to Begin to Help

What Schools Can Do

What Parents Can Do

Albert Einstein once stated, "Do not worry… read more

Research Paper 5 pages (1548 words) Sources: 5 Topic: Mathematics / Statistics

---

Modest Proposal Literature Is a Window Essay

Modest Proposal

Literature is a window into the society of Jonathon Swift's time in which created he created "A Modest Proposal." It mirrors English society and addresses the concerns of… read more

Essay 4 pages (1631 words) Sources: 0 Topic: Literature / Poetry

---

Instructional Strategies Using Assistive Technology to Teach Math to Children With Learning Disabilities Research Paper

Assistive Technologies in Math Instruction for the Learning Disabled

The academic study of mathematics can present heightened difficulties for the learning disabled. The operational specificity, procedural repetition and the sheer… read more

Research Paper 4 pages (1087 words) Sources: 8 Style: APA Topic: Education / Teaching / Learning

---

Calculus? Calculus Is a Vast Topic Term Paper

Calculus? Calculus is a vast topic and it also forms the basic foundation of any calculations that are based on math. Calculus is divided into two branches, one being differential,… read more

Term Paper 3 pages (1264 words) Sources: 1+ Topic: Mathematics / Statistics

---

View 100+ more related papers  >>