Talk:Least common multiple/Student Level: Difference between revisions

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imported>Catherine Woodgold
(Cancelling before multiplying)
imported>Michael Hardy
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Where it says ''"Note: Always cancel before multiplying."'' I would suggest something gentler such as ''"Note: The arithmetic is simpler if you cancel before multiplying,"'' since if you multiply first and then cancel you will still get the right answer.  --[[User:Catherine Woodgold|Catherine Woodgold]] 20:35, 14 May 2007 (CDT)
Where it says ''"Note: Always cancel before multiplying."'' I would suggest something gentler such as ''"Note: The arithmetic is simpler if you cancel before multiplying,"'' since if you multiply first and then cancel you will still get the right answer.  --[[User:Catherine Woodgold|Catherine Woodgold]] 20:35, 14 May 2007 (CDT)
: Simplicity of arithmetic in problems of this sort is not the only reason to cancel before multiplying.  I stopped short of prescribing euthanasia for those who continue to miss this point in doing routine sorts of algebra.  I'm inclined to expand on the evils of multiplying before cancelling.  More later.... [[User:Michael Hardy|Michael Hardy]] 21:06, 14 May 2007 (CDT)

Revision as of 20:06, 14 May 2007

Excellent article in progress! Anyone have any comments to make? I wouldn't be surprised if this goes up for approval quickly. - Greg Martin 23:54, 13 May 2007 (CDT)

Thank you.
I think more should be added before approval. Maybe some stuff about polynomials, some more applications, some things about somewhat abstract number theory... Michael Hardy 13:43, 14 May 2007 (CDT)


Article Checklist for "Least common multiple/Student Level"
Workgroup category or categories Mathematics Workgroup [Editors asked to check categories]
Article status Developed article: complete or nearly so
Underlinked article? Yes
Basic cleanup done? Yes
Checklist last edited by David Martin 18:13, 14 May 2007 (CDT)

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Cancelling before multiplying

Nice, easy-to-read article.

Where it says "Note: Always cancel before multiplying." I would suggest something gentler such as "Note: The arithmetic is simpler if you cancel before multiplying," since if you multiply first and then cancel you will still get the right answer. --Catherine Woodgold 20:35, 14 May 2007 (CDT)

Simplicity of arithmetic in problems of this sort is not the only reason to cancel before multiplying. I stopped short of prescribing euthanasia for those who continue to miss this point in doing routine sorts of algebra. I'm inclined to expand on the evils of multiplying before cancelling. More later.... Michael Hardy 21:06, 14 May 2007 (CDT)