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what if math. f(x). Functional Thinking. 11.5.13 Art Bardige. Perhaps the most important concept of mathematics is that of function , which provides us with the means to study dependence and change. Mathematics Professor Peter Kronheimer , Director of Undergraduate Studies.
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what if math f(x) Functional Thinking 11.5.13 Art Bardige
Perhaps the most important concept of mathematics is that of function, which provides us with the means to study dependence and change. Mathematics Professor Peter Kronheimer, Director of Undergraduate Studies
Functional thinking can change the way students learning problem solving. Two cyclists start at the same time from opposite ends of a course that is 45 miles long. One cyclist is riding at 14 mph and the second cyclist is riding at 16 mph. How long after they begin will they meet?
To understand this revolutionary pedagogy let us see “from whence we came.” Copernicus – On the Revolutions 1543
In 1202 Leonardo of Pisa introduced algorithmic thinking as “arithmetic necessary to merchants.”
Algorithmic thinking replaced abacist thinking Algorist vs. abacist 1507
In 1686 Isaac Newton based science on cause and effect -- functional thinking.
In 1734 Leonard Euler gave us the symbol for function -- f(x).
In the 19th and 20th centuries functions became transformations M. C. Escher
In 1979 Bob Frankston and Dan Bricklin revolutionized business math with spreadsheets
Replacing algorithmic thinking with functional thinking in business
Yet in classrooms we rarely if ever learn to think functionally
We still concentrate on algorithmic thinking to solve exercises.
What if… ...students learned to use…
functional thinking organizes problem solving into: • Inputs • Rules • Outputs
Functional Thinking is analytic
Functional Thinking is dynamic
Where we focus on patterns: Science April ‘88
Tables Visual Graphs and Charts Formulas
Represent the function with… ...a table with inputs and outputs 30