Re: Are there any non-gifted scientists?!?!?

From: Dave Rusin (rusin_at_vesuvius.math.niu.edu)
Date: 04/30/04 

Date: 30 Apr 2004 03:13:47 GMT

In article <HXikc.729$0H1.115588@attbi_s54>,
Robert J. Kolker <robert_kolker@hotmail.com> wrote:
>Der Fugue wrote:
>> My biggest qualm with the curriculum is that it is essentially based a
>> combination of rote memorization and graphing calculator usage. We do
>> linear regression on our calculators, for example, but never learn how
>> to do it by hand.
>
>That is a shame. One should never do with a machine what he cannot (at
>least in principle) do unaided.

That's odd, I was about to chime in that this seemed like one very
sensible use of a calculator, and I don't say that often. When I show
someone what it means to choose the best straight line (say) by the
least-squares criterion, I right away want them JUST ONCE to find the
best straight line to fit three or four non-collinear points. Having done
that once, I can't imagine there's much to be gained by grinding out
more numbers ever again. Use the stupid machine for that.

dave

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