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Mathematics Educators

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    $\begingroup$ I have no answer because I would never have thought to do this, but that makes me even more interested in seeing answers here. Is this effective? How and why? $\endgroup$
    – Brendan W. Sullivan
    Commented May 3, 2015 at 2:11
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    $\begingroup$ Perhaps I'm too detached from a learner's way of thinking, but is there really a difference for them? There hardly is any for me. $\endgroup$
    – Git Gud
    Commented May 3, 2015 at 12:06
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    $\begingroup$ @gitgud in my experience they are very different for students. Different still is using inverse functions $5\implies -3\implies \div2 \implies 1 $ they tend to find this easiest to understand. (Ed: fixed MJ, it is hoped, quid) $\endgroup$
    – Karl
    Commented May 3, 2015 at 12:50
  • $\begingroup$ To clarify the last step is the zero factor property not division by 2 $\endgroup$
    – Karl
    Commented May 3, 2015 at 12:59
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    $\begingroup$ Absolutely, to students there would be a huge difference between the two methods. My authority comes from working with tons of high school and early college students. The important criterion will be long term progress. $\endgroup$
    – nickalh
    Commented May 9, 2015 at 8:25