Help: I have to show ALL the steps for such easy math questions...?

Question

In my math class, my math teacher requires me to show all my steps for such easy math questions.
Like for the Pythagorean Theorem he would require us to show every single step- well that is if we want the full marks. Even on our homework. For example:
c2-b2=a2
252+222= a2
625-484= a2
141= a2
√141= a
11.87=a
11.9=a

This is really annoying me, as I learned this quite a while ago and can do it in my head, while my answer will still be correct. Besides, he says that we might have to use this theorem in life someday, but how are we supposed to answer it, if we cannot do it in our head. I understand that this is preparing us for harder questions, but when the time comes, I'll show my work if I see it benefits me.
I wanted to tell my teacher, but he wants it his way, and says it's fine if I don't show all the steps, I just won't get full marks. This is really frustrating as I usually have a 96%-98% in math. :( I don't want to get on his bad side, as he isn't all that nice to start with. (He is the only math teacher at my school that teaches that type of math.) What can I do? Is there even anything I can do???

P.S. I am thinking to see if I can take the course distant, or get the work ahead of time. This is as I do not think I would be able to boycott, the homework altogether. Or do it in my head and show minimal for. Besides, for the past few classes, we've done almost nothing for half of the class. I find this aggravating, as I can spend my time a lot more effectively, and it does not take me long to do my math homework.
And I am fully capable and responsible of teaching myself new math concepts.
P. S. S. I almost never have any problems with any that my teacher assign me to do, but right now, it seems completely unreasonable.

Please help...
Thank you!

Answer 1

The reason your teacher wants his students to show all of the steps in each problem they work on is because the steps are an important logical sequence to get the right answer. I am a teacher and I want to see HOW my students get their answers. The purpose of teaching is to help students develop mental ability. You have done this, as you can logically do through the steps in your head, and probably understand the REASON you perform each step. When you write each step down, your teacher can see that you truly understand the process for that problem. It is the process that he is teaching, not the right answer. I have seen students get credit for advanced mathematics problems where the answer was wrong but the process was right. So getting credit for the steps and the answer is perfectly understandable. Your teacher intends to make his students understand why math steps are used.

My advice would be to just do what he has asked you to do. You stated that you can do your homework quickly so you should be able to get through it even if you are writing more down. Your teacher has students who don't understand what they are doing. He can't say its ok for you to skip the steps but not ok for others. Teachers have to consider the impact of what ever they do on the whole class. Even though teachers do care about each person, their work is about the WHOLE group and hopefully that everyone will learn what is being taught.

If a student is missing steps and he can see that on their homework, then he knows what he needs to teach more of to the class. I hope this helps you understand why. Good luck! And congratulations on being such a good mathematician!

Answer 2

Just do the steps. When it comes to exams, you have to show working out and you always get marks for just writing it, even if you end up getting the wrong final answer. Also, just writing the answer may seem like you're cheating and just copying down the answer from someone else or the back of the textbook (even though you're not).



So yeah, just do the steps. Pretty sure every maths teacher will tell you and everyone else this.

Answer 3

Hi,



I am a parent of a 14 yr old son, who does NOT like to show his work. It has taken me years to instill in him to show your work! He is just now seeing the light of day :)



You may thnk it seems pointless and even that you are challenging yourself by not showing the work BUT think about this:



Once you are in the "real world' and have a job w/ a boss. He is gonna tell you to do things, reports, jobs, etc etc tc that you think is stupid/pointless... IF you repeatedly dont comply, you will more than likely lose your job. I have a job and many of the things my boss asks drives me nuts ; i swear that to you BUT I need my job.. when he has especially irritated me, i just think to myseff: oh well if he wants to pay me $25/hour to do this stupid thing, then fine...l am getting paid for my 8 hours of work no matter what I do. It gets me by.



I believe your teacher is trying to prep you for your upcoming years in the work force.





good luck and show your work!! :)