Related: I had a student tell me once, “I didn’t know what to do, so I did something.”

Student today: "This isn't even math. It's just pattern recognition." #iteachmath

Pro tip: if the thermometer says -3°, think of it as 357°.

I like the consistency. It means |x+c| is the same (sensible) thinking as |bx+c| -- same thing with the trig ones. There's a "starting point" and then a period. Not sure I understand why that's different or harder.

I’ve adopted the “what makes it zero” approach to finding the shift. (It being Ex+F). I’d say this offers a deeper understanding of what’s really going on.

So cool.

I, too, use a spreadsheet in the same way (I think) you do. But I'm curious -- I'll mark up papers first, then go back and enter each in the spreadsheet. So most of my time my bar would be at zero, then zip along pretty quickly. Are you marking and entering simultaneously?

Translate it to French and then back into English. #iTeachMath

Wordle 1,641 6/6

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I made a mistake at guess 5.

I want to know if you’ve settled on a new first word (don’t tell me the word!) or if you’re randoming like me.

Nice. Are you going with the random first word method?

white 3-d printed chess set

And through the miracle of google photos search...turns out it was in 2018. Good grief.

I can't remember exactly. I did it as a project after the AP, so it was a little lax with rules. I may have had a couple of kids work on pawns, but the idea was always to print 8 (16, actually) the same.

This is awesome. I did this a few years ago with a BC Calc class. The solution for the top of the rook (and queen, I think) was challenging and interesting. The knight was just weird looking.

Happy Cinco de Mayo (southern hemisphere).
@davidkbutler.bsky.social @nomadpenguin.bsky.social

*I think I make this joke every year. Does it even make sense in Australia? (Note: I'm not asking if it's funny.) Sorry to burden the only two southern hemispherians I know.

We seem to cut it some slack when we allow it to integrate across a removable discontinuity. Can’t we show the same grace here??

Wordle 1,586 5/6

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Weird and fun things happen by guessing random words.

So I’ve been just using the first word that comes to mind every morning. It was strange at first but now I think the game is much more fun. That’s my recommendation.

Kinda teed that one up for me you did.

When mine finally came up in one, I was afraid of settling on a new first word that had already been used. I thought about doing some research to pick an unused word, but that seemed like no fun.

I can see why you chose that word. It really is ideal.

This happened to me a couple of months ago. Exciting moment, but then the next few days were chaos. Now I embrace the just pick a random word every day strategy. Please advise how you choose to go.

Wordle 1,576 3/6

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Lucked out.

Y’all are a day ahead. I look forward to the challenge.

Seems to be going well so far.

I’d for sure hang but alas the dates are a conflict with school so I won’t be there. Good luck at trivia (which I assume will be part of your week)!

I continue to let my students know that the goal is not the goal. And the end is not the end.

Sorry to hear this Lara. All I’ve got to offer is positive vibes. Someone great will find you!

Any use for these anywhere by anybody? I’m glad to ship them. Please send this along to anyone who might care. #iteachmath

Could not be cooler.

rose bowl Suppose it starts to rain. During the first second, one drop of rain falls in the Rose Bowl. During the second second, two drops fall, then four drops during the third second, and so on, continuing ...

How long would it take to fill the Rose Bowl with rain?
(an alternative to "folding paper in half again and again" and "penny doubled every day" problems which I've found Students to be too familiar with already.) #iteachmath
docs.google.com/document/d/1...