Math symbology question
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My kid's algebra homework contains a symbol like an anti-clockwise arrow, sort of the opposite of ↻ (if it'll display). It's mixed in with "rational exponents" and my wife and I have never seen them. We have been unable to figure out what it means and the kid doesn't seem to know. Edit: http://www.codeproject.com/script/Membership/Uploads/2587207/Math.png[^] Any of the younger folk know what it means?
This might not help at all but makes you feel less guilty. I work now 20 years in Reinsurance and develop pricing tool, have a degree in Electronics and Economics. My work colleagues, who are by nature, all mathematicians and specialist in the field of actuarial science. Some have PHD's and other degrees I cannot even pronounce. However, I haven't seen this symbol in my entire career, and that's frustrating! Could it mean to find a divisor to get from c^12/5 to c^3/5? Have a look here on Wolfram https://www.wolframalpha.com/input/?i=(c%5E(12%2F5))+%2F+(c%5E(9%2F5))
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So I would think, but they weren't issued books. :sigh:
A math class. With no books. Western civilization is doomed. With any luck, the teacher will be mounted to the front of the savages' leader's vehicle when they storm the refuge of the survivors...
Software Zen:
delete this; -
My kid's algebra homework contains a symbol like an anti-clockwise arrow, sort of the opposite of ↻ (if it'll display). It's mixed in with "rational exponents" and my wife and I have never seen them. We have been unable to figure out what it means and the kid doesn't seem to know. Edit: http://www.codeproject.com/script/Membership/Uploads/2587207/Math.png[^] Any of the younger folk know what it means?
I haven't taken a math class in 30 years, but 30 yrs ago, I took a lot of them. Even so, the algebra problems your kid is doing hasn't changed much since the 17th century. Find the earliest reference in the book, or perhaps even inside the cover. I strongly suspect the author has minted his own notation. In context, it looks like you're supposed to replace the squiggly with another standard symbol, such as < etc.
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The rational exponents can only simplified if the symbol is a division. If you multiply 12/5 * 3/5 you get 36/25 which cannot be simplified. The other way around 12/5 / 3/5 = 4 makes a lot more sense. Same for the other expression.
Josef Schroettle
Except that a multiplication symbol there would mean you add the exponents together, not that you multiply them. For example: `c^2 x c^3` equals `c^5`, not `c^6`. Therefore, if it is multiplication, you will actually be doing: `12/5 + 3/5` which is `15/5` which simplifies to `3`.
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A math class. With no books. Western civilization is doomed. With any luck, the teacher will be mounted to the front of the savages' leader's vehicle when they storm the refuge of the survivors...
Software Zen:
delete this;Apparently the books are supposed to stay in the room.
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Apparently the books are supposed to stay in the room.
I stand by my original response.
Software Zen:
delete this; -
My kid's algebra homework contains a symbol like an anti-clockwise arrow, sort of the opposite of ↻ (if it'll display). It's mixed in with "rational exponents" and my wife and I have never seen them. We have been unable to figure out what it means and the kid doesn't seem to know. Edit: http://www.codeproject.com/script/Membership/Uploads/2587207/Math.png[^] Any of the younger folk know what it means?
My approach would be: Khan Academy .org Start with the book sections you child is covering. Use the contextual clues from the types of problems being solved. (This would be the Chapter topic, and the section topics, and problem heading (solve for x)) Start there with a broad scan. At the very top of the site is a search. I usually can find anything a student is working on. Also helps to know know what level of algebra. Finally, in most math books these days, even the ONLINE versions, the symbols are introduced in the sections the kids never read at the front of the section. Usually as an EXAMPLE problem! HTH
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My kid's algebra homework contains a symbol like an anti-clockwise arrow, sort of the opposite of ↻ (if it'll display). It's mixed in with "rational exponents" and my wife and I have never seen them. We have been unable to figure out what it means and the kid doesn't seem to know. Edit: http://www.codeproject.com/script/Membership/Uploads/2587207/Math.png[^] Any of the younger folk know what it means?
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My kid's algebra homework contains a symbol like an anti-clockwise arrow, sort of the opposite of ↻ (if it'll display). It's mixed in with "rational exponents" and my wife and I have never seen them. We have been unable to figure out what it means and the kid doesn't seem to know. Edit: http://www.codeproject.com/script/Membership/Uploads/2587207/Math.png[^] Any of the younger folk know what it means?
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My wife and I both searched. Even Wolfram seemed to just shrug. We wouldn't be surprised to find that it's the wrong symbol. Or some cockamamie new "common core" X| thing.
My guess, based on the context of the formula, would be that it means "simplify". Now, if your child is in a graduate course on non-associative algebra, the answer may be different.
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The rational exponents can only simplified if the symbol is a division. If you multiply 12/5 * 3/5 you get 36/25 which cannot be simplified. The other way around 12/5 / 3/5 = 4 makes a lot more sense. Same for the other expression.
Josef Schroettle
I thought when you multiplied the same variable with two different exponents together, you just add the exponents. So.. c^(12/5) * c ^(3/5) ==> c^(12/5 + 3/5) ==> c^(15/5) ==> c^3 x^(3/4) * x^(9/2) ==> x^(21/4), or x^(5 1/4 Looks to me like the counter-clockwise arrow is a typo -- meant to be a dot for multiplication, but they used the wrong glyph, and the proof reading quality control these days is left as an exercise for the student.
We can program with only 1's, but if all you've got are zeros, you've got nothing.
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My kid's algebra homework contains a symbol like an anti-clockwise arrow, sort of the opposite of ↻ (if it'll display). It's mixed in with "rational exponents" and my wife and I have never seen them. We have been unable to figure out what it means and the kid doesn't seem to know. Edit: http://www.codeproject.com/script/Membership/Uploads/2587207/Math.png[^] Any of the younger folk know what it means?
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From the context I assume it represents 'the reciprocal of'. So with the implied multiply operator we'd get 13) 4 14) 1 / 3x^2 But what do I know - I'm 65!
Oh, now that's an idea. Thanks. :thumbsup:
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A math class. With no books. Western civilization is doomed. With any luck, the teacher will be mounted to the front of the savages' leader's vehicle when they storm the refuge of the survivors...
Software Zen:
delete this; -
My kid's algebra homework contains a symbol like an anti-clockwise arrow, sort of the opposite of ↻ (if it'll display). It's mixed in with "rational exponents" and my wife and I have never seen them. We have been unable to figure out what it means and the kid doesn't seem to know. Edit: http://www.codeproject.com/script/Membership/Uploads/2587207/Math.png[^] Any of the younger folk know what it means?
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Oh, now that's an idea. Thanks. :thumbsup:
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Sure it's not a printing error? A multiplication sign that is messed up? That would make the most sense to me at least.
This is in line with my thinking. I've seen multiplication represented by an 'X', an '*' (asterisk), a dot, and an open dot (circle). Maybe they were going for a dot or open dot, but the character set the printer used didn't have an exact match. The anti-clockwise arrow may have been the best fit. (Why they didn't replace it with a common alternative like 'X' or '*' is anyone's guess...) Of course then you have to ask what business the printer has printing math books without a sufficient character set... But that's another conversation entirely...
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My kid's algebra homework contains a symbol like an anti-clockwise arrow, sort of the opposite of ↻ (if it'll display). It's mixed in with "rational exponents" and my wife and I have never seen them. We have been unable to figure out what it means and the kid doesn't seem to know. Edit: http://www.codeproject.com/script/Membership/Uploads/2587207/Math.png[^] Any of the younger folk know what it means?
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My kid's algebra homework contains a symbol like an anti-clockwise arrow, sort of the opposite of ↻ (if it'll display). It's mixed in with "rational exponents" and my wife and I have never seen them. We have been unable to figure out what it means and the kid doesn't seem to know. Edit: http://www.codeproject.com/script/Membership/Uploads/2587207/Math.png[^] Any of the younger folk know what it means?
I've asked some maths experts and they've requested more information. Do you have earlier pages in the chapter you could post? So far nobody has seen this symbol used in this way.
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I've asked some maths experts and they've requested more information. Do you have earlier pages in the chapter you could post? So far nobody has seen this symbol used in this way.
Nope, this is just a worksheet we think the teacher downloaded from the 'Net. So it is likely a mis-translation of some sort. Interestingly, the next day the kid brought home another worksheet and my wife was able to find it -- with the answers. :cool: We're not impressed by the quality of the "teaching" that goes on now.
