One thing that always comes up when our math department discusses non-standard algorithms is
long division of polynomials. Doesn't seem like any non-standard algorithm is easily applied there.
Changing the focus a little: I've been thinking of the importance of student motivation in learning a programming language. I've always found
The Python Challenge to be quite motivating to get me writing code and learning more about Python. I don't know how it could be done, but could a similar approach be used to supplement a middle or high school programming class? Any ideas?
Richard
----- Original Message ----
From: Jay Bloodworth <jbloodworth@sc.rr.com>
....
* (a + b)^2 = a^2 + 2ab + b^2, not a^2 + b^2. Here there is the
standard geometric area model for multiplication. Sometimes I present
multiplication with the model, sometimes not. It doesn't seem to change
the error rate.....