9.23-Thoughts on word problems

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I believe students often avoid word problems because they find concepts like taxes or interest intimidating, especially when decimals are involved. After learning more about the history of word problems, I’d like to incorporate both that history and students' everyday lives into my teaching.

I’d start by discussing with students where they might already encounter math without realizing it. For example, I might ask if they’ve ever thought about how much a discounted item costs or how long it takes to travel a certain distance. These are practical problems they’ve likely faced but don’t necessarily associate with math. Together, we’d turn these situations into word problems, helping them see that math is already a part of their daily lives.

For the more challenging topics, like calculating taxes or interest, I’d create scenarios that are relatable. Instead of giving a generic tax problem, I might ask them to imagine buying a new phone with an option to pay in installments. We’d calculate the interest for different payment plans and see how this math could help them make better financial decisions. By connecting these problems to something relevant, students are more likely to feel motivated to solve them.

Next, I’d draw on the rich history of mathematics to give word problems more meaning. I’d explain that even 4,500 years ago, people were already using math to solve practical problems with the limited tools they had. For instance, I could share how the ancient Egyptians used math to manage their irrigation systems or how the Babylonians worked out trade deals using unit conversions.

A great example would be introducing students to problems from the ancient Chinese text The Nine Chapters on the Mathematical Art, which includes real-world scenarios like dividing resources or calculating land areas. We could try solving these problems using the math skills students already have, which would not only make learning more engaging but also show that solving practical problems with basic math has been a part of human history for thousands of years.9.23-

To make these connections even more vivid, I’d incorporate animations and historical documentaries that compare how ancient and modern societies approached similar problems. Students could see the sheer scale of the issues faced in both eras—whether it's constructing monumental structures or solving everyday logistical problems—and understand how problem-solving has evolved. These visuals would help them grasp the magnitude of solutions over time, showing that while the tools may have changed, the process of reasoning through math has remained constant.

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