fandomhigh | Combined Mathematics #1 [Friday 9-14, Period 4]

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mathematics

Combined Mathematics #1 [Friday 9-14, Period 4]

Jean-Paul was pacing again as the students entered. When they were all there, he said, "So, you are all taking this class on math. And some of you--in fact, more of you than I expected, congratulations--happen to be quite good at math. So clearly you think it is important, or so I assume. What I would like to know is why. Why are you studying math, and why do you think people should study math? And lest you think this class will be all theory, after your discussion I have worksheets for all of you for homework, tailored to your skill levels. So ha."

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In the approved manner.

Ami Mizuno

Charlie McGee

Naomi Wildman

Adah Price

Ronan Nolan

Bart Allen

Rodney McKay

Peter Parker

Neil Perry

Hermione Granger

Nap, pass notes, whatever.

Charlie settled in and glanced at the worksheet, feeling relieved to see things she recognized, and making a face at the word problems.

Rodney noticed Charlie making a face at her worksheet and wondered what that was about. He looked at her questioningly.

Charlie noticed Rodney's look, and held up the worksheet, still frowning. "Why do I care when the two comets collide? And what difference does it make if it's at Tuesday at 4am, or Thursday at 4pm?"

"From here it might not make much difference; but if you were on a space station between the two comets, it would be pretty important information to have. And just imagine not knowing how to calculate the exact time and position of the collision and getting stuck there," he shuddered. "It's important to be as prepared as you can for any possible catastrophe."

"Any space station that needs me to do math to save it is doomed," Charlie said, echoing the shudder. "Although, okay, I do see the point, now. I suppose it's a pointier example here than it would be anywhere else." She gave the equations a worried look, and tentatively said, "Is x the speed of the first comet or the second comet?" If Rodney could just help her with the basics, maybe this wouldn't be so bad.

"Okay, you see here?" Rodney began pointing things out on her worksheet. "X is the speed of the first comet. You're given the distance it has traveled in a certain amount of time and you just need to divide the distance by the time to solve for x. For the second comet, you have the speed so you can divide the distance by it to get the time. Now, you just need to calculate the relative speed of both comets combined and divide it by the distance left between them and this will tell you exactly how long it will be until they'll collide. See?" Rodney thought this explanation should be totally clear.

[ooc: I can't believe I just took the time to look up the 'two trains' problem.]

"Divide distance, by time." Charlie was frantically following this, and that part, she got. "To get the speed."

The next bit just went waaay past her.

"Wait. For the second comet, I do what?"

[*cackles* I always liked that one, but yeah. Welcome to research for RPGs.]

"Right. Good," Rodney said as Charlie seemed to understand the first step of the problem. "Okay, for the second one, you have different information. You're given the speed this time as well as the distance so what you have to solve for is time. To do that you need to divide the distance by the speed. With me so far?"

"Sort of. New step. Right." Charlie took a breath. "And we're looking for time. And... okay, which distance am I working with?" She frowned. "I need a picture. Or a graph, or a chart, or something, I'm losing track of what I know and what I don't know...."

Discuss.

Ami smiled as she spoke "Math is important because it allows me to understand science and science is important when one wishes to become a doctor."

[and i am off on a 7 hour drive so this is about all my participation in this class...]

"I'm studying maths because I need it in order to be able to do science and engineering and it plays a large part in both fields," Naomi said, "people should study it because it is important to have at least a basic understanding of maths for everyday life,"

Adah paused a moment as she tried to discern whether or not this was a trick question, but, after finding no catches or little hidden things that might have Jean-Paul going 'Ah-ha! You see, my stupid dear, I have tricked you and your father was right because so on and so forth!,' she quickly wrote down her answer. Her hand went up, waving the paper slightly to catch the teacher's attention and hoping that, by week four, he should get pretty use to this.

Jean-Paul sighed and came over to take the paper from her. "Yes, Miss Price?"

And, as last weekend, her answer was neatly printed on the piece of paper.

"Not only do I enjoy mathematics, but I am also quite good at it. Mathematics drew the line for me between being considered 'gifted' or considered 'special,' which is a very large difference in the public school system of the United States. Also, there is something about solving equations that appeals to the sense of balance I crave. And, as an added incentive, I will need mathematics in my future endeavors, as I plan to be a brilliant doctor one day."

There were times when no one could accuse Adah of having no confidence, especially as she sat there with her chin thrust as high in the air as it could with half of her trying to keep it down.

"Math is important," Ronan began, "because, like the Speech of my universe, it's a universal language. As for me, I'm studying math because it's a necessary component of wizardry -- both simpler geometry, such as calculating the volume of air necessary to carry with you when you travel to the moon, and more complex mathematical work when you're doing wizardries that affect physical laws. You need to understand them before you bend them."

"Because Wally picked my classes this time." Bart slumped in his seat. "I liked the pie."

"You may like pie," Jean-Paul told Bart, "but that doesn't necessarily mean pie is important."

"Could be," Bart replied earnestly. "Someday I'll need to know how to make a pie to save the world and no one else can and Wally'llhavetocometomeandI'lltotallylaughathimformakingmetakeboringclasses!"

Bart could just picture the scene, Wally and all those old Justice League guys begging for his help, because he was the best damn pie baker ever!

...

Just... let him dream.

"Math is an essential foundation to the work in physics that I'll be pursuing in the future. Plus, it's fun," Rodney said, thinking about playing prime-not-prime with John.

"Because I'm good at math and I enjoy it," Peter said. "I really don't have any big fancy reasons for it."

After class, Jean-Paul stayed in the classroom for a while, since he'd realized ~~his mun~~ he'd forgotten office hours earlier in the week. If anyone wanted to talk to him about their performance on the placement test, or anything else, for that matter, this would be the time.

Sorry for the lameness of class, it somehow got to be 4:30 in the AM on me.

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Combined Mathematics #1 [Friday 9-14, Period 4]

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OOC