Strength in Numbers

This episode continues, um, peeling back the layers of word problems involving bananas (haha) as we write the equations that correspond to what we talked about in the last episode. There are actual equations ahead so proceed with a pencil and paper ready to go. If you like LEGOs or ever even heard of them, they serve as a nice analogy for our approach to solving word problems.   I know .... This i...

This episode will explore the rich and fruity world of word problems. Did I hear you groan? Trust me, it’s not as bad as you think – I’m going to take it nice and easy on you today. No equations, just apples and bananas. I know what you’re thinking… how did I get here, listening to a podcast about math and apples?!? This is bananas! I promise this episode will be appealing.

Maybe you've heard of the book, "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten". This isn't the same message, but we do have a Kindergartner who's gonna teach us a good lesson about finding a way over or even around the wall we face in many a math problem. Need a little extra help? Visit us at www.sint.org and schedule a tutoring session.

Have you ever said, "I can't do math"? Of course you have. We all have. I have. But is that true? Is that kind of language helping us or hurting us? Jump in and see how Ms. Shilawski's soup cans will help YOU build strength in numbers. For tutoring and more, go to www.sint.org .

Jimmy Buffett said it best - sang it actually. It's no  Cheeseburger in Paradise , to be sure. No,  Math Suks . And I agree with him. Why would a guy who has been a teacher and tutor for 20+ years, and even produces a podcast about math, say that Math Suks? And why do you keep spelling it that way? Ask Mr. Buffett. https://youtu.be/toPWpDHr_6s?t=7

Ahh, yes The Question. It's a rite of passage that all teenagers ask The Question in math class. We've all asked it. I did. When are we ever going to use this? The Question reveals something about our attitude toward math, and our belief about its value. My answer, ahem, The Answer will help you change your attitude about math and help you go higher than you ever thought you could in math....

I'm terrible about giving away the takeaway, but suffice it to say you should give your undivided attention to this episode. Oh, and by the way, this is a story about Skittles. It is dedicated to my thesis advisor and mathematics professor, the late Dr. Lee V. Stiff. Don't let the name fool you - he was a man of passion, animated and stimulating as a teacher on subjects just like this one....

This episode will, um, ADD to your knowledge of numbers and let's just say it will MULTIPLY your strength in numbers, too. Wink, wink - foreshadowing!

The lesson you learned last week was so good (humble brag!) I figured we should do more of it. This is another kinda famous example plus some further practice at multiplying larger numbers either in your head or on paper - but not the old way of carrying. That's outdated. Once you get the hang of this new way, you will surprise yourself and improve your strength in numbers. Need help with math...

Multiplication is a crucially important skill. Since you can only reasonably memorize a small amount of "multiplication facts" you could use a way to do multiplication quickly - even in your head. Here you go! This episode is for you.

This first episode could launch into any number of math topics, but I’ll start where many of you are right now. If you feel confused, frustrated, anxious, or apathetic about math – this is the podcast for you. And you might've felt those things because of those darn letters in math... so let's start there.