If one were trying to streamline the Algebra 2 curriculum, is there a good argument for retaining the rules of thumb by which we were all taught to graph rational functions by hand (finding asymptotes, holes, intercepts, all of that)? Or could we hand that over to graphing calculators and e.g. teach students a bit more probability theory?
@ct_bergstrom Maybe is useful to be able to logically deduce asymptotes, intercepts, singularities, etc., for reasons more important than graphing them? Also is easy to graph things with Matlab or Jupyter and not notice the singularities
@radehi @ct_bergstrom
Do you mean teach students how to use a calculator so you can teach them theories?
Is that actually a *math* class?
Then why bother teaching kids how to add and subtract in elementary school? Just teach them how to use a calculator. And don't bother teaching them how to count as toddlers because they won't need to know about numbers since we have calculators.
IMO, same thing. Teach them how to communicate with numbers rather than how to push buttons on a machine.
@ChofuAlum @ct_bergstrom Does who mean that?
More important than communicating with numbers is communicating with logical arguments. Accountants communicate with numbers but rarely show something surprising is true beyond all doubt.
