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Daughter's math homework (1 Viewer)

When  you simply write a real number that is -5, or 3 or 1/2 or 8/5 or any real number you do not apply the positive or negative after the fact, because that positive or negative is the value of the number, not an operation.
So what is 8/5^2?
8/5 x 8/5= 64/25.
In case anyone was wondering, we reserve the lowest levels of hell for those that don't grasp basic math facts.I know we had an agreement tommy, but unless you learn the order of operations correctly the deal is off.

Are we clear?
I love it. I have more math experience than probably 90% of this board and you're telling me I don't get it. I get it. If you fail as the writer of the question to ask the question the way you want it answered, you don't get it. If Maurile wants an answer to (8/5)^2 then ask that. If he wants an answer to 8/(5^2) then ask that. Simple really. This isn't even an argument. It just is. a real number squared, is a real number squared. In the original question that started this mess, the question was "what is the base negative 5 squared?" as it was written. It would be no different if the question had been what is x^-x and x = -5, then the expression would be -5^5. However if the question was asked without variables and instead expressed as -5^-5 then the answer would be far different.

writing

-5^2= y produces the correct answer of 25. Thanks for playing. Good night.
:lmao: :cry:
 
were somewhat limited here by the computer interface, since I can't tell if MT means

(8/5)^2 or 8/(5^2).

I assumed he meant the first
Well looky here now tommy. Ya see, we have these rules in math that we use to avoid confusion. We call them the order of operations. Your gut, your opinion, your feelings, well... they don't mean ####.You can go back to where ever you got a high school diploma and beat the mother living piss out of whoever was responsible for allowing you to pass, or you can just accept that you don't quite grasp what we're talking about here. Who knows, maybe you were too busy dreaming about Mary Jane Rottencrotch during math class. Whatever. I don't care much at the moment. I'm fairly drunk right now and somewhat amazed I can actually type. Thank God for all those typing classes.

In closing, if you choose to procreate, please promise me you won't help your kids in their math classes. TIA.
nice. You can drop the superiority complex. Those were some pretty unnecessary words there since I'm a father of 2 with one more on the way. I was an advanced math student through high school and college, got 720 on the math part of the SAT and I know for a fact that -5^2 is 25. Maybe you should quit drinking. In fact, if you are a teacher and you don't know how to express a proper math question, I feel bad for you students. If you are teaching your kids that -5^2 = -25 then I fear for god the direction this country is headed.
 
I get it.
Honestly, you don't, and it's not a matter of opinion.8/5^2 isn't ambiguous at all. There's a single correct way to interpret that. But let's back up to a (perhaps) simpler one.

How would you solve this (and why)?

8+5^2

(If that's too easy, go ahead and do 8*5^2 as well. That should be easy as well, but it's really no easier than 8/5^2, so maybe not.)

 
lets review:

x^2 = y

and

x = -5

therefore, literally replacing the x with -5 the new equation reads

-5^2 = y

now it is the convention, allegedly, that

-5^2= -25 because it is implied as -(5^2).
No, that's wrong.x is negative five. So when we square x, we have to square negative five. To square negative five, we have to write it as "(-5)^2". If you were to write it as "-5^2", you would be failing to insert x anywhere in there. The expression "-5^2" does not contain a negative five anywhere. What is negative in that expression is not five, but twenty-five (since exponentiation comes before the unary minus).
the expression -5^2 is not an expression. An expression would be -x^2. The figure -5^2 contains only one operation and that is the exponent of negative five. When you write a variable say X or Y or Z as a representation and put it in a formula then you practice the order of operations. When you simply write a real number that is -5, or 3 or 1/2 or 8/5 or any real number you do not apply the positive or negative after the fact, because that positive or negative is the value of the number, not an operation.
As a former HS math teacher who is both bemused and horrified by this thread, I'd like to jump in here.Tommyboy, based on what you say here I would assume that you would simplify:

-e^2 = e^2 (e being a real number and all, so you would characterize the negative as the "value of the number").

Would you then also characterize 2e^2 as

(2e)*(2e) = 4e^2?

But wouldn't that have to be 16e^2?

So when would you stop?

Also, the positive or the negative is not the value of the number. The value of the number is the distance from zero on the number line. The positive or negative is the direction.

That gets me to wondering how you would simplify this expression:

-|5|^2

 
nice. You can drop the superiority complex. Those were some pretty unnecessary words there since I'm a father of 2 with one more on the way. I was an advanced math student through high school and college, got 720 on the math part of the SAT and I know for a fact that -5^2 is 25. Maybe you should quit drinking. In fact, if you are a teacher and you don't know how to express a proper math question, I feel bad for you students. If you are teaching your kids that -5^2 = -25 then I fear for god the direction this country is headed.
:lmao: FYI, chalk up another vote for "you're very wrong about the convention."

Also, just going out on a limb here, but did you go to (a) the Chicago public schools or (b) a rural school district?

 
I get it.
Honestly, you don't, and it's not a matter of opinion.8/5^2 isn't ambiguous at all. There's a single correct way to interpret that. But let's back up to a (perhaps) simpler one.

How would you solve this (and why)?

8+5^2

(If that's too easy, go ahead and do 8*5^2 as well. That should be easy as well, but it's really no easier than 8/5^2, so maybe not.)
I certainly understand, you had the incorrect assumption here that 9x substituting x =-3 would mean 9-3= 6 or something motarded so don't lecture me on understanding. You forgot that 9x is implied mulitplication so substituting x=-3 would mean 9(-3) or in longhand 9 times negative 3.I digress, anyhow on to your question

it is ambiguous on my screen as its typed since I'm not seeing superscript as I would be in a real math situation and therefore cannot tell if the superscript is applied to the whole of 8/5ths or if the superscripts is applied only to the 5.

but thanks for asking anyhow. I'm done with this.

 
FFA: the only place where a simple "-" could be a personal affront.Next time I overdraw my checking account I'll ask the bank if they considered my balance as its own intger or as an operation involving -1.

 
I was an advanced math student through high school . . .
BTW, this really isn't math so much as syntax. The best mathematician in the world would get this wrong if he wasn't taught it properly, just like the smartest person in the world wouldn't know the Chinese word for bathtub if he didn't speak Chinese. It has nothing to do with being smart. It has to do with memorizing an arbitrary rule.
 
were somewhat limited here by the computer interface, since I can't tell if MT means

(8/5)^2  or  8/(5^2).

I assumed he meant the first
Well looky here now tommy. Ya see, we have these rules in math that we use to avoid confusion. We call them the order of operations. Your gut, your opinion, your feelings, well... they don't mean ####.You can go back to where ever you got a high school diploma and beat the mother living piss out of whoever was responsible for allowing you to pass, or you can just accept that you don't quite grasp what we're talking about here. Who knows, maybe you were too busy dreaming about Mary Jane Rottencrotch during math class. Whatever. I don't care much at the moment. I'm fairly drunk right now and somewhat amazed I can actually type. Thank God for all those typing classes.

In closing, if you choose to procreate, please promise me you won't help your kids in their math classes. TIA.
nice. You can drop the superiority complex. Those were some pretty unnecessary words there since I'm a father of 2 with one more on the way. I was an advanced math student through high school and college, got 720 on the math part of the SAT and I know for a fact that -5^2 is 25. Maybe you should quit drinking. In fact, if you are a teacher and you don't know how to express a proper math question, I feel bad for you students. If you are teaching your kids that -5^2 = -25 then I fear for god the direction this country is headed.
:lmao: :lmao: :lmao: :lmao:
 
nice. You can drop the superiority complex. Those were some pretty unnecessary words there since I'm a father of 2 with one more on the way. I was an advanced math student through high school and college, got 720 on the math part of the SAT and I know for a fact that -5^2 is 25. Maybe you should quit drinking. In fact, if you are a teacher and you don't know how to express a proper math question, I feel bad for you students. If you are teaching your kids that -5^2 = -25 then I fear for god the direction this country is headed.
:lmao: FYI, chalk up another vote for "you're very wrong about the convention."

Also, just going out on a limb here, but did you go to (a) the Chicago public schools or (b) a rural school district?
But he got a *720*!!!(I got a 770 on that part, and I've been lost at times in this thread. The ability to understand basic algebra means nothing when it comes to mathematical standards, and advanced mathematics.)

 
I get it.
Honestly, you don't, and it's not a matter of opinion.8/5^2 isn't ambiguous at all. There's a single correct way to interpret that. But let's back up to a (perhaps) simpler one.

How would you solve this (and why)?

8+5^2

(If that's too easy, go ahead and do 8*5^2 as well. That should be easy as well, but it's really no easier than 8/5^2, so maybe not.)
I certainly understand, you had the incorrect assumption here that 9x substituting x =-3 would mean 9-3= 6 or something motarded so don't lecture me on understanding. You forgot that 9x is implied mulitplication so substituting x=-3 would mean 9(-3) or in longhand 9 times negative 3.I digress, anyhow on to your question

it is ambiguous on my screen as its typed since I'm not seeing superscript as I would be in a real math situation and therefore cannot tell if the superscript is applied to the whole of 8/5ths or if the superscripts is applied only to the 5.



but thanks for asking anyhow. I'm done with this.
He's taken his calculator and gone home. :sadbanana:

 
nice.  You can drop the superiority complex.  Those were some pretty unnecessary words there since I'm a father of 2 with one more on the way. I was an advanced math student through high school and college, got 720 on the math part of the SAT and I know for a fact that -5^2 is 25.  Maybe you should quit drinking.  In fact, if you are a teacher and you don't know how to express a proper math question, I feel bad for you students.  If you are teaching your kids that -5^2 = -25 then I fear for god the direction this country is headed.
:lmao: FYI, chalk up another vote for "you're very wrong about the convention."

Also, just going out on a limb here, but did you go to (a) the Chicago public schools or (b) a rural school district?
But he got a *720*!!!(I got a 770 on that part, and I've been lost at times in this thread. The ability to understand basic algebra means nothing when it comes to mathematical standards, and advanced mathematics.)
I only got a 730.I would have got a 720, but I got that -5^2 question right.

 
nice. You can drop the superiority complex. Those were some pretty unnecessary words there since I'm a father of 2 with one more on the way. I was an advanced math student through high school and college, got 720 on the math part of the SAT and I know for a fact that -5^2 is 25. Maybe you should quit drinking. In fact, if you are a teacher and you don't know how to express a proper math question, I feel bad for you students. If you are teaching your kids that -5^2 = -25 then I fear for god the direction this country is headed.
:lmao: FYI, chalk up another vote for "you're very wrong about the convention."

Also, just going out on a limb here, but did you go to (a) the Chicago public schools or (b) a rural school district?
But he got a *720*!!!(I got a 770 on that part, and I've been lost at times in this thread. The ability to understand basic algebra means nothing when it comes to mathematical standards, and advanced mathematics.)
I only got a 730.I would have got a 720, but I got that -5^2 question right.
:lmao:
 
Tommyboy, based on what you say here I would assume that you would simplify:

-e^2 = e^2 (e being a real number and all, so you would characterize the negative as the "value of the number").

Would you then also characterize 2e^2 as

(2e)*(2e) = 4e^2?

But wouldn't that have to be 16e^2?

So when would you stop?

Also, the positive or the negative is not the value of the number. The value of the number is the distance from zero on the number line. The positive or negative is the direction.

That gets me to wondering how you would simplify this expression:

-|5|^2
I'll do them one at a time:no, don't assume anything

no, -e^2 = -e^2. Why would you change the negative arbitrarily?

no the correct answer to 2e^2 is 2(e^2) where e is squared then multiplied to 2.

I wouldn't ask that question as it is bound to produce confusing results. If you meant to ask (-5)^2 you should ask it. If you meant to ask -(5^2) you should ask THAT.

You should not ask -(5)^2 anymore than you should ask -5^2 and expect an answer of -25.

 
I see someone said this is about syntax which is something I've said multiple times in this thread. I think we've come full circle.

 
This thread has taken an unexpected new turn. A car is traveling at 100mph around a 25mph curve. Stay tuned to see what happens next!

 
Tommyboy, based on what you say here I would assume that you would simplify:

-e^2 = e^2 (e being a real number and all, so you would characterize the negative as the "value of the number").

Would you then also characterize 2e^2 as

(2e)*(2e) = 4e^2?

But wouldn't that have to be 16e^2?

So when would you stop?

Also, the positive or the negative is not the value of the number.  The value of the number is the distance from zero on the number line.  The positive or negative is the direction.

That gets me to wondering how you would simplify this expression:

-|5|^2
I'll do them one at a time:no, don't assume anything

no, -e^2 = -e^2. Why would you change the negative arbitrarily?

no the correct answer to 2e^2 is 2(e^2) where e is squared then multiplied to 2.

I wouldn't ask that question as it is bound to produce confusing results. If you meant to ask (-5)^2 you should ask it. If you meant to ask -(5^2) you should ask THAT.

You should not ask -(5)^2 anymore than you should ask -5^2 and expect an answer of -25.
Above, you said (and I quote)
the expression -5^2 is not an expression. An expression would be -x^2. The figure -5^2 contains only one operation and that is the exponent of negative five.

When you write a variable say X or Y or Z as a representation and put it in a formula then you practice the order of operations. When you simply write a real number that is -5, or 3 or 1/2 or 8/5 or any real number you do not apply the positive or negative after the fact, because that positive or negative is the value of the number, not an operation.
First off, -5^2 is an expression, as is 3+2, as is -1. That last one is simplified.Secondly, e is a real number. You state above that the negative is innate to the value of the number, so if I write -e, by your own definition, then

-e^2 is exactly the same situation as -5^2.

See how important it is to be precise in algebraic notation? Hence the need for conventions, such as the one being discussed in this thread. Nobody here can help that you disagree. Do google search for "squaring negative integers order of operations" and you will get 974,000 web pages, EVERY SINGLE ONE OF WHICH will agree with this convention (except maybe some of those in the back).

The point is that mathematics requires precision. Precision requires consistency across time and space. Consistency requires conventions. This is a convention to which you were formerly ignorant but now are not. Let go of your stubborn belief and adopt the convention. You'll be happier and you'll live a longer and more productive life.

Also, by -|5|^2 I was using the symbol for absolute value.

 
Page 5

I've seen math teachers make students feel small. Not saying that you've done that here, but I've seen it happen. The biggest change I underwent as an educator was putting a stop to being judgmental with regard to my students abilities. Some of them suck at math. Its just a fact. I don't think less of them because of it. There are things I don't do so well.
toPage 25

Well looky here now tommy. Ya see, we have these rules in math that we use to avoid confusion. We call them the order of operations. Your gut, your opinion, your feelings, well... they don't mean ####.

You can go back to where ever you got a high school diploma and beat the mother living piss out of whoever was responsible for allowing you to pass, or you can just accept that you don't quite grasp what we're talking about here. Who knows, maybe you were too busy dreaming about Mary Jane Rottencrotch during math class. Whatever. I don't care much at the moment. I'm fairly drunk right now and somewhat amazed I can actually type. Thank God for all those typing classes.

In closing, if you choose to procreate, please promise me you won't help your kids in their math classes. TIA.
I can't wait for page 45. :thumbup: :banned: :blackdot:
 
I see someone said this is about syntax which is something I've said multiple times in this thread. I think we've come full circle.
It is about syntax. You seem to refuse to understand that.Link: From the math department at the University of Rochester. People much more mathematically intelligent than you and me combined.

Direct quote:



"Is -5^2 positive or negative? It's negative. This is because the square operation is done before the negative sign is applied. Use (-5)^2 if you want to square negative 5."

How the HELL can you argue that?

 
Last edited by a moderator:
I see someone said this is about syntax which is something I've said multiple times in this thread. I think we've come full circle.
I thought you were leaving this thread. Guess not.PS I got a 780.

 
Hey Aussie,There comes a point when a student that has been shown the light simply refuses to see it. We've passed that point.

 
Sorry, I can't let this go without a response from tb.

I see someone said this is about syntax which is something I've said multiple times in this thread. I think we've come full circle.
It is about syntax. You seem to refuse to understand that.Link: From the math department at the University of Rochester. People much more mathematically intelligent than you and me combined.

Direct quote:



"Is -5^2 positive or negative? It's negative. This is because the square operation is done before the negative sign is applied. Use (-5)^2 if you want to square negative 5."

How the HELL can you argue that?
 
You know, there's much more important things to discuss.Like, should I start Dillon or Droughns in my must-win matchup tomorrow?I'm leaning towards Dillon.Tommyboy, if you reply please note that I'll be squaring your answer before applying the negative.

 
I'm sorry, I when I see -5^2 is see -5 as the base which is to be squared.on your example of -|5|^2, then the answer would be -25. as for your squaring negative integers order of operations, I already posted a link from Dr Math.com, which I'm assuming is a reputable math website, where the math expert that replied to a question about squaring negative numbers made the exact point I made, which is there is confusion as to the meaning of the question -5^2 = what? And that the question should be more precise as in -(5^2) or (-5)^2. I'll repost if you'd like.

 
You know, there's much more important things to discuss.

Like, should I start Dillon or Droughns in my must-win matchup tomorrow?

I'm leaning towards Dillon.
Droughns has been on fire the past few games, and Jacksonville has been soft against the run this year.Plus, you never know with the Patriots. He practiced, but as we've seen, nothing means anything until you see him on the field.

Go with Reuben.

(No, I can't resist them...so leave me alone. TIA.)

 
I'm sorry, I when I see -5^2 is see -5 as the base which is to be squared.

on your example of -|5|^2, then the answer would be -25.

as for your squaring negative integers order of operations, I already posted a link from Dr Math.com, which I'm assuming is a reputable math website, where the math expert that replied to a question about squaring negative numbers made the exact point I made, which is there is confusion as to the meaning of the question -5^2 = what? And that the question should be more precise as in -(5^2) or (-5)^2. I'll repost if you'd like.
So you're ignoring what the math department at Rochester has to say about this EXACT situation?Dr. Math gave a very vague answer. Rochester, however, did not.

Yet, you still argue.

 
I see someone said this is about syntax which is something I've said multiple times in this thread. I think we've come full circle.
I thought you were leaving this thread. Guess not.PS I got a 780.
good for you. I guess that means we are all arguing from a base of intelligence, so why don't you drop the condescension?
 
I'm sorry, I when I see -5^2 is see -5 as the base which is to be squared.

on your example of -|5|^2, then the answer would be -25.

as for your squaring negative integers order of operations, I already posted a link from Dr Math.com, which I'm assuming is a reputable math website, where the math expert that replied to a question about squaring negative numbers made the exact point I made, which is there is confusion as to the meaning of the question -5^2 = what? And that the question should be more precise as in -(5^2) or (-5)^2. I'll repost if you'd like.
How long did you have to search to find that one?lol

Here's a doctor math that thinks you're just plain wrong:

Math Forum

 
Smoo was arguing the logicality of the convention. Tommyboy just seems to be arguing that the way we've been saying it works, is'nt actually the way it works.

 
I'm sorry, I when I see -5^2 is see -5 as the base which is to be squared.

on your example of -|5|^2, then the answer would be -25.

as for your squaring negative integers order of operations, I already posted a link from Dr Math.com, which I'm assuming is a reputable math website, where the math expert that replied to a question about squaring negative numbers made the exact point I made, which is there is confusion as to the meaning of the question -5^2 = what? And that the question should be more precise as in -(5^2) or (-5)^2. I'll repost if you'd like.
So you're ignoring what the math department at Rochester has to say about this EXACT situation?Dr. Math gave a very vague answer. Rochester, however, did not.

Yet, you still argue.
slow down big feller, I went outside and had a smoke. Anyhow I read your link and the next quote down said "when in doubt use parentheses". I'm happy that you feel that -5^2= -25

but

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... so why don't you drop the condescension?
Because this has nothing to do with intelligence anymore. It has nothing to do with math anymore. You've gone beyond being stubborn. It doesn't matter how many thousands of mathematicians that anyone can quote showing you what the mathematical standard is. It doesn't matter who has what credentials. You wish to cling to your belief. Cling away. I find that humorous. Sue me.

 
Hey Aussie,

There comes a point when a student that has been shown the light simply refuses to see it. We've passed that point.
I guess so. This is the first time I've checked out this thread since page 10, and your Well looky here now tommy was the first post I saw. I've since reread the last few pages and can understand your frustration. :ph34r:
 
slow down big feller, I went outside and had a smoke. Anyhow I read your link and the next quote down said "when in doubt use parentheses".
Direct quote:

"Is -5^2 positive or negative? It's negative. This is because the square operation is done before the negative sign is applied. Use (-5)^2 if you want to square negative 5."

Plain and simple.

You're arguing the *exact* opposite. Either you're wrong, or they're wrong. Which is it?

 
I'm sorry, I when I see -5^2 is see -5 as the base which is to be squared.

on your example of -|5|^2, then the answer would be -25. 

as for your squaring negative integers order of operations, I already posted a link from Dr Math.com, which I'm assuming is a reputable math website, where the math expert that replied to a question about squaring negative numbers made the exact point I made, which is there is confusion as to the meaning of the question  -5^2 = what?  And that the question should be more precise as in -(5^2) or (-5)^2.  I'll repost if you'd like.
So you're ignoring what the math department at Rochester has to say about this EXACT situation?Dr. Math gave a very vague answer. Rochester, however, did not.

Yet, you still argue.
slow down big feller, I went outside and had a smoke. Anyhow I read your link and the next quote down said "when in doubt use parentheses". I'm happy that you feel that -5^2= -25

but

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Clearly Google is the defining system of modern day society. Excel as well. Those guys at Microsoft are rich. They should be able to decide what is right.
 
... so why don't you drop the condescension?
Because this has nothing to do with intelligence anymore. It has nothing to do with math anymore. You've gone beyond being stubborn. It doesn't matter how many thousands of mathematicians that anyone can quote showing you what the mathematical standard is. It doesn't matter who has what credentials. You wish to cling to your belief. Cling away. I find that humorous. Sue me.
hey dude, I hope you have a great night and great day tomorrow. God bless you man.
 
... so why don't you drop the condescension?
Because this has nothing to do with intelligence anymore. It has nothing to do with math anymore. You've gone beyond being stubborn. It doesn't matter how many thousands of mathematicians that anyone can quote showing you what the mathematical standard is. It doesn't matter who has what credentials. You wish to cling to your belief. Cling away. I find that humorous. Sue me.
hey dude, I hope you have a great night and great day tomorrow. God bless you man.
GDB tommyboy's unwillingness to admit he's wrong, despite thousands of experts in the field spelling it out for him.
 
You know, there's much more important things to discuss.

Like, should I start Dillon or Droughns in my must-win matchup tomorrow?

I'm leaning towards Dillon.
Droughns has been on fire the past few games, and Jacksonville has been soft against the run this year.Plus, you never know with the Patriots. He practiced, but as we've seen, nothing means anything until you see him on the field.

Go with Reuben.

(No, I can't resist them...so leave me alone. TIA.)
You're right, of course. If it weren't must win, maybe I'd start Dillon hoping that the matchup and his pent-up desire to play hit me a home run. But in this situation, I need to go with the sure points.My only concern is the weather. It will still be snowing in CLE at gametime, which might actually help Droughns, I suppose...

 
This thread needs dragons.
How the hell I thought I was going to change someone's mind after 36 pages, I don't know.But why not unicorns?
Um...because no unicorns live in MT's garage? :unsure:
Useful linkHopefully we can steer this train wreck back towards some meaningful learning.
I noticed that you can entere^(πi)+1 in the google calculator. :thumbup:

So that's cool...

Link

 

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