02-05-2015, 03:07 AM
N-OS X-tasy! wrote:
Word problems were one method used to teach math back when I learned the subject; rote repetition was another. Both methods have their merits.
"Word problems" have a different meaning under Common Core.
An example of an old-school word-problem: "Divide 16 by 4 and identify the quotient." Or, long-form: "Jenny has 16 apples and four friends. If she gives each friend an equal number of apples, how many apples would she give to each friend?"
An example of a Common Core word-problem: "Jimmy wants to save money for a new bicycle seat that costs $16 dollars. Jimmy plans to get a job bussing tables at a local restaurant. He plans carefully and decides that after taxes and expenses he can save the money to pay for a new bike seat with four months' work. Write an equation that shows how Jimmy would determine the amount of money he must save each month to meet his savings goal."