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

[notanactualfairy]

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."

Comments

During the Lecture

[notanactualfairy]

Nap, pass notes, whatever.

Re: During the Lecture

[girlzippo.livejournal.com]

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

Re: During the Lecture

[mrodneymckay.livejournal.com]

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

Re: During the Lecture

[girlzippo.livejournal.com]

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?"

Re: During the Lecture

[mrodneymckay.livejournal.com]

"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."

Re: During the Lecture

[girlzippo.livejournal.com]

"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.

Re: During the Lecture

[mrodneymckay.livejournal.com]

"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.]

Re: During the Lecture

[girlzippo.livejournal.com]

"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.]

Re: During the Lecture

[mrodneymckay.livejournal.com]

"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?"

Re: During the Lecture

[girlzippo.livejournal.com]

"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...."