[Edu-sig] Queens, NY - PYTHON Programming for Kids

[Dirk-Ulrich Heise]

-----Ursprüngliche Nachricht-----
Von: "Thomas A. Williams" <Thomas_A._Williams@NEWYORKLIFE.COM>
An: <edu-sig@python.org>
Gesendet: Donnerstag, 13. Juli 2000 18:58
Betreff: Re: [Edu-sig] Queens, NY - PYTHON Programming for Kids
> Hi Kirby,
> Thanks Much for the info.  Methaphorics - using metaphors to teach
> subject material.  I've not used metaphors that often in teaching.

Here's a metaphor that made me understand the Simplex
algorithm (finding an optimal solution for a set of unequations):

The (multidimensional) problem space is divided by hyper-planes,
each unequation defining one hyperplane, and each hyperplane
has a side that falls into the "non-solution" area, and the other
side falls into the "solution" area. This way, all hyperplanes
together form a diamond-like shape.

The Simplex algorithm travels all vertices of the diamond to
find the one that is optimal (minimizes one of the coordinates
or a combination of several of them).

I never understood Simplex until i read this metaphor. I think
i read it in Sedgewicks "Algorithms" book. (Don't remember
the exact title, and it wasn't Edie Sedgewick but a professor)

And i think, this explanation would make the Simplex algorithm
even feasible for 17-years-old :-)

Dipl.Inform. Dirk-Ulrich Heise
hei@adtranzsig.de
dheise@debitel.net