Helpful math tips and solutions for parents, educators, and students http://www.shillermath.com/rss/SMTidbits.rss en-us ℗ & © Larry Shiller Wed, 01 Jun 2011 08:00:00 -0400 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Wed, 01 Jun 2011 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/rss/SMTidbits.rss http://www.shillermath.com/images/lspic.jpg So far ahead of his time http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20110601.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Wed 01 June 2011 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20110601.html How the four stages of change may be successfully applied to math learning http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20110501.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Fri 01 May 2011 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20110501.html Theorem shows that math knowledge is finite; brings together unlikely allies http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20110401.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Fri 01 April 2011 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20110401.html New scientific research shows that different languages can get along http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20110301.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Tue 01 March 2011 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20110301.html A BBC series points the way http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20110201.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Tue 01 February 2011 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20110201.html The Grand Anagrammy Awards http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20110101.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Sat 01 January 2011 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20110101.html New game helps decode genetic disease http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20101201.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Wed 01 December 2010 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20101201.html American math prowess continues its decline http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20101101.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Mon 01 November 2010 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20101101.html Fascinating facts about primes http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20101001.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Fri 01 October 2010 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20101001.html Fun recycling statistics http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20100901.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Wed 01 September 2010 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20100901.html A math icon dies http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20100801.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Sun 01 August 2010 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20100801.html Age discrimination is illegal; why permit and encourage it in our public schools? http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20100701.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Thu 01 July 2010 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20100701.html When students learn the distributive law, they really take off http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20100601.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Tue 01 June 2010 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20100601.html As an educator are you following non-conventional wisdom to achieve success with your students? http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20100501.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Sat, 01 May 2010 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20100501.html Are you math aware? http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20100401.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Thu, 01 Apr 2010 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20100401.html Urban crime meets sophisticated math http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20100301.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Mon, 01 Mar 2010 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20100301.html Artist cum mathematician http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20100201.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Mon, 01 Feb 2010 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20100201.html The first thing to try when math is a challenge http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20100101.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Fri, 01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20100101.html Deknot those lights efficiently and earn $1 million! http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20091201.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20091201.html Shapes and number go together http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20091101.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Sun, 01 Nov 2009 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20091101.html It's not always about the math http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20091001.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Thu, 01 Oct 2009 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20091001.html Implying truth is harder than it may seem http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20090901.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Tue, 01 Sep 2009 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20090901.html Mathematics has a longer history than you might think http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20090801.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Sat, 01 Aug 2009 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20090801.html Enjoy the bumpy ride to math success http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20090701.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Wed, 01 Jul 2009 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20090701.html Want to get a math advantage? Learning doesn't take a vacation http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20090601.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Mon, 01 Jun 2009 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20090601.html Testing just for placement present a huge missed opportunity http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20090501.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Fri, 01 May 2009 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20090501.html Standards effectively - and unnecessarily - make learning difficult. Here's why and what to do about it. http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20090401.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Wed, 01 Apr 2009 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20090401.html How parents of really smart two year olds might unwittingly turn them off to math http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20090301.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Sun, 01 Mar 2009 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20090301.html A brief history of cryptography http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20090201.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Sun, 01 Feb 2009 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20090201.html Seemingly impossible events do occur. Why? http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20090101.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Thu, 01 Jan 2009 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20090101.html We could use some good economic advice. But should we be turning to the mid-19th century? http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20081201.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Mon, 01 Dec 2008 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20081201.html Uh-oh, survey says society doesn't value math prowess http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20081101.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Sat, 01 Nov 2008 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20081101.html Hexagons are fun, for people as well as bees http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20081001.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Wed, 01 Oct 2008 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20081001.html Have we seen the last math from Grigory Perelman? http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20080901.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Mon, 01 Sep 2008 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20080901.html Learning math is messy: here are some surprising ways to help kids think for themselves http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20080501.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Thu, 1 May 2008 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20080501.html You might be surprised: it's not just balancing your checkbook http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20080401.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Tue, 1 Apr 2008 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20080401.html Learn the secrets of students who really know their times tables http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20080301.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Sat, 1 Mar 2008 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20080301.html Etiquette isn't just for eating http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20080201.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Fri, 1 Feb 2008 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20080201.html Just how do mathematicians add up an infinite number of terms? http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20080101.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Tue, 1 Jan 2008 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20080101.html Not just an accomplished mathematician, Stanford Professor Gene Golub was a leader of people http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20071201.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Sat, 1 Dec 2007 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20071201.html OK, you'll learn how to solve this type of SAT question, but you'll also get very good general advice about how to ace the math SAT http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20071101.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Thu, 1 Nov 2007 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20071101.html The mathematician's friend, proof by induction is also fun http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20071001.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Mon, 1 Oct 2007 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20071001.html Using rectangles and without writing, students can easily understand the law of commutativity http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20070901.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Sat, 1 Sep 2007 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20070901.html The mathematician's friend, proof by induction is also fun http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20070801.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Wed, 1 Aug 2007 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20070801.html The father of Algebra, Khawarizmi was one of history's greatest mathematicians http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20070701.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Sun, 1 Jul 2007 08:00:00 -0400 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20070701.html Math ideas for the summer http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20070601.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Fri, 1 Jun 2007 08:00:00 -0500 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20070601.html How improper use of probability can be dangerous and expensive http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20070501.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Tue, 1 May 2007 08:00:00 -0500 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20070501.html The decimal system is just one of many we use everyday http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20070401.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Sun, 1 Apr 2007 08:00:00 -0500 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20070401.html A math theorem that makes people consider jumping out the window? http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20070301.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Thu, 1 Mar 2007 08:00:00 -0500 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20070301.html To ace the new math SAT you'll need to know how to intersect two or more sets... http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20070201.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Thu, 1 Feb 2007 08:00:00 -0500 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20070201.html Flash cards only test, they do not facilitate learning. New visual and concrete flash cards help students learn... http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20070101.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Mon, 1 Jan 2007 08:00:00 -0500 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20070101.html This tidbit's solution is to provide a more individualized educational experience to each student . Here's how it works... http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20061201.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Fri, 1 Dec 2006 08:00:00 -0500 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20061201.html The USA has fallen victim to a Curse of Natural Resources. Find out how - and what we can do about it. http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20061101.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Wed, 1 Nov 2006 08:00:00 -0500 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20061101.html A farm, which is three-quarters of a square, needs to be divided into four parts of equal area and shape. Can you do it? http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20061001.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Sun, 1 Oct 2006 08:00:00 -0500 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20061001.html Ada Byron a/k/a Ada Lovelace, followed a different path from her famous father, poet Lord Byron, and instead excelled in math and music. Today she is known as the world's first computer programmer. http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20060901.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Fri, 1 Sep 2006 08:00:00 -0500 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20060901.html Montessori uses special manipulatives and methods to introduce the decimal system to children as young as three years old... Adherence to the Montessori approach and use of Montessori materials typically results in 5 year olds adding and subtracting two four digit numbers! http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20060801.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Tue, 1 Aug 2006 08:00:00 -0500 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20060801.html How you write it can affect your score... http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20060701.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Sat, 1 Jul 2006 08:00:00 -0500 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20060701.html You mean math isn't taught??? Teachers, students, and administrators often have certain basic expectations when evaluating and using a math curriculum. It may be worth reconsidering some conventional wisdom about what is important. http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20060601.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Thu, 1 Jun 2006 08:00:00 -0500 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20060601.html How a scribble in the margin of a book allowed Fermat and Wiles to enjoy a 330 year relationship that made math history. http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20060501.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Mon, 1 May 2006 08:00:00 -0500 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20060501.html Have you ever looked at an SAT question and felt like saying, "Help! I'm clueless!"? You're not alone. Even the brightest and best have felt the same way. Should this ever happen to you, this sure-fire tip will get you on your way to math success. http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20060401.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Sat, 1 Apr 2006 08:00:00 -0500 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20060401.html A new creative framework exists for evaluating success, whether in business, personal life, or education: Four reward categories that drive what we do: Happiness / Achievement / Significance / Legacy. http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20060301.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Wed, 1 Mar 2006 08:00:00 -0500 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20060301.html While it may seem strange to pick Maria Montessori to inaugurate our math biography series, the fact is that she made amazing discoveries in how children learn and enjoy math. http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20060201.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Wed, 1 Feb 2006 08:00:00 -0500 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20060201.html A simple yet magical strategy that will improve any score on a test with multiple choice questions. http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20060101.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Sun, 1 Jan 2006 08:00:00 -0500 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20060101.html Many math issues have deep-seated roots that - even for a 16 year old - can go back to early childhood. http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20051201.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Thu, 1 Dec 2005 08:00:00 -0500 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20051201.html Our first foray into helping students ace the math SAT. http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20051101.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Tue, 1 Nov 2005 08:00:00 -0500 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20051101.html A look at how math is taught and not learned in the USA. http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20051001.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Sat, 1 Oct 2005 08:00:00 -0500 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20051001.html A most useful learning technique - for math or any subject http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20050901.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Thu, 1 Sep 2005 08:00:00 -0500 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20050901.html Prove one of the most basic yet amazing theorems in mathematics http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20050801.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Mon, 1 Aug 2005 08:00:00 -0500 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20050801.html Creative ways to define and respond to mistakes when learning math http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20050701.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Fri, 1 Jul 2005 08:00:00 -0500 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20050701.html An alternative approach for math learners young and old. http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20050601.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Wed, 1 Jun 2005 08:00:00 -0500 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20050601.html A common math teaching error about assumptions. http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20050501.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Sun, 1 May 2005 08:00:00 -0500 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20050501.html A fascinating approach to calculating Pi that you can use with Excel. http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20050401.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Fri, 1 Apr 2005 08:00:00 -0500 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20050401.html Three common math myths that can make math learning tough for kids - and how to avoid them. http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20050301.html tidbits@shillermath.com (Larry Shiller) Tue, 1 Mar 2005 08:00:00 -0500 http://www.shillermath.com/eNewsletters/tidbit20050301.html