Math help aka I'm an idiot

[DrPizza]

But Dr.Pizza, don't you know that math teachers...especially in College are really hard up about students using methods to solve problems that are not taught in class or in the book?

I took Calc I and II and if I used a simpler way of finding derivatives, I would get ZERO credit. Math teachers are like that, they get all pissy when you don't do things the way they want you to do it.

The point of his assignment is that the problem wants him to use the formula for Area and Perimeter to find the Maximum area that can be covered.

The problem isnt about finding a shortcut, its about knowing how to do a world problem as they have it setup and coming to the conclusion the way they wanted you to.


...math sucks.

If you had problems where you could use a "simpler way of finding derivatives," then you had a pathetically simple calculus class. Unless, you're referring to a problem where they might say "use the definition of the derivative to find the derivative of..." in which case, it's more work, but, well, understanding the definition of the derivative & where these things come from is pretty important.

 

[SheHateMe]

Unless, you're referring to a problem where they might say "use the definition of the derivative to find the derivative of..." in which case, it's more work, but, well, understanding the definition of the derivative & where these things come from is pretty important.

mhmm.

 

[DrPizza]

So, you're whining that you shouldn't have to know the definition of the derivative - the thing that 50% of Calc I is based on? LOL

 

[SheHateMe]

So, you're whining that you shouldn't have to know the definition of the derivative - the thing that 50% of Calc I is based on? LOL

When did I say that?

Don't start the bullshit. I clearly said that taking shortcuts or finding easier ways to do things in Calculus...especially in a class is frowned upon by a lot of professors. If you are on a unit where you are learning the definition of a derivative and you decide to do all the homework using the easier way of finding a derivative, you will not get credit as you have not utilized the concepts you were supposed to be learning. Thats why I originally told you not to encourage the OP to do the problem any other way than taking the two formulas for a Rectangle and using one solve the other. Its a story problem with clearly laid out instructions, you just have to know what to read for in the problem. I used to agonize over this stuff all day long when I had exams coming up.

Don't be a fucking asshole, okay?

 

[Mr. Pedantic]

When did I say that?

Don't start the bullshit. I clearly said that taking shortcuts or finding easier ways to do things in Calculus...especially in a class is frowned upon by a lot of professors. If you are on a unit where you are learning the definition of a derivative and you decide to do all the homework using the easier way of finding a derivative, you will not get credit as you have not utilized the concepts you were supposed to be learning. Thats why I originally told you not to encourage the OP to do the problem any other way than taking the two formulas for a Rectangle and using one solve the other. Its a story problem with clearly laid out instructions, you just have to know what to read for in the problem. I used to agonize over this stuff all day long when I had exams coming up.

Don't be a fucking asshole, okay?

The point of a math test is to test what you know. And the problems are set up exactly for this; they are at times highly contrived, artificial problems that may never exist in real life, whose only purpose is to test one or a few particular facets of knowledge. The fact that you know how to work out the maximal area without requiring a derivative isn't a laudable feat in the context of a test; it just means that the examiner has no idea whether or not you can actually reformulate a problem in the form of a workable mathematical function and differentiate it.

 

[DrPizza]

I think you said that in the post before, when you agreed: "mhmm."

As far as which method students use, I always point out to them, "yes, I know this could be solved using that other method. But, I'm trying to teach you method B. I can either give you this problem (which could also be solved by method A), and is fairly easy to solve using method B, or I can give you THIS problem that method A is useless for, and method B is a major pain in the neck. So, which would you prefer to do: solve an easy problem with method B, or solve a very difficult problem using method B?" I never hear any whining. And, "Math teachers are like that, they get all pissy when you don't do things the way they want you to do it. " I think I'm pretty well aware of how math teachers are, particularly Calc I and Calc II.