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# The IntMath Newsletter - May 2007

By Murray Bourne, 15 May 2007

You are receiving the IntMath Newsletter either because you signed up, asked a question, wrote a comment or complimented
Interactive Mathematics.

===========================
1. This month’s math tip
2. Latest testimonials
3. Latest revisions in Interactive Mathematics
4. Latest from the math blog
===========================

## 1. THIS MONTH’S MATH TIP - TRY IT WITHOUT YOUR CALCULATOR

Don’t get me wrong - I really like calculators and computers because they make mathematics so much easier.

But I find that a lot of students really struggle with algebra, because they are not confident with numbers. This is especially true with fraction algebra. We use decimals a lot - who worries about fractions any more?

So here’s a challenge. Next time you need to add or multiply number fractions, put away your calculator and try to do it on paper.

Same goes for multiplying (or dividing) by multiples of 10. Same goes for adding a list of numbers. Too many students rely 100% on their calculators and create later problems for themselves, because they don’t have a good understanding of how numbers work.

If you are confident in number, then algebra becomes much easier. If you struggle with number, algebra is a huge mystery.

## 2. LATEST TESTIMONIALS

Many of you have written to say how much you like the Interactive Mathematics site. I appreciate your comments and I am glad that you get something from the site.

Bafana, South Africa:
’You have made me one of the best students in Mathematics.’

Aaron, USA:
’Wow! This amazing site helped me more than any other math site on the web!’

Edward, Singapore:
’Thanks for this great site u have made. from ur explanation on this site i have not only learnt how to do qns but also started
to understand. :)’

Ricardo, USA:
’The IntMath web site really puts the things I’m learning in class into perspective!’

Oh, and don’t miss the summary of ’Who Are You?’, about visitors to Interactive Mathematics.

## 3. LATEST REVISIONS in INTERACTIVE MATHEMATICS

Recent updates to the IntMath site have included:

1. Updated Laplace Transformation chapter.

Let me know if you have any further suggestions for improvement.

## 4. LATEST FROM THE MATH BLOG:

1) MATH OF MOBILE AND CORDLESS PHONES
Are DECT phones safe? What is the mathematics behind the decision?

2) VEDIC MATHEMATICS
Vedic mathematics is an Indian system of mental arithmetic. But do we need such techniques when we have calculators?

3) HOTMATHS - USABILITY CHALLENGED
HOTmaths has some usability problems to sort out.

4) MATHLETIC MOTIVATION
Mathletics is a popular Australian mathematics tutorial system.

5) WHO ARE YOU? VISITORS TO THE INTMATH SITE...
Here are some interesting bits of information about you, dear visitor.

Be the first to comment below.

### Comment Preview

HTML: You can use simple tags like <b>, <a href="...">, etc.

To enter math, you can can either:

1. Use simple calculator-like input in the following format (surround your math in backticks, or qq on tablet or phone):
a^2 = sqrt(b^2 + c^2)
(See more on ASCIIMath syntax); or
2. Use simple LaTeX in the following format. Surround your math with $$ and $$.
$$\int g dx = \sqrt{\frac{a}{b}}$$
(This is standard simple LaTeX.)

NOTE: You can mix both types of math entry in your comment.

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