[Blindmath] Math in your head

Sabra Ewing sabra1023 at gmail.com
Mon Dec 14 23:01:12 UTC 2015 

Wait, I haven't read this entire thread, but how can we jump from being blind to you have to do math in your head? I don't do math in my head. When I was younger, I used an abacus, and now, I will use a calculator for large calculations. Cited people prefer graphs, but I prefer tables of data in an XL spreadsheet. I can get the same thing they would in a way that better suits me.

Sabra Ewing

> On Dec 14, 2015, at 4:41 PM, Grzegorz Zlotowicz via Blindmath <blindmath at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Excuse me, but in the same way, we can say, that people who can play chess without using chessboard, computer and using only their memory, are myth.
> But, from the other side, such people exist.
> Being myself blind, I use notepad for algebra editing.
> Braille typed on a paper is so slow, you must each time rewrite every long expression, and if you do some mistake, there is no way of correcting it other than rewriting everything again.
> Braille notetakers are so limited in their functionality (e.g. no Undo operation in Braille sense editor), and are showing you only one line of text.
> When you want to jump few lines up, and then return to the end, cursor doesn't preserve position in line... And so on.
> 
> Maybe using braille display and computer would be a solution, but also in this scenario, you need to take hands away from the keyboard, and return to keyboard after reading, which lowers effectivity.
> 
> But, editing math in notepad is also slow, so I'm dreaming about fully functional equation editor, which would simplify the mechanics of algebraic operations...
> 
> Greetings, Greg.
> 
> W dniu 14.12.2015 18:41, Louis Maher via Blindmath napisał/a:
>> Laura,
>> 
>> Doing math in your head is a policy guaranteeing failure.  It simply does
>> not work for any problem having any complexity.  Sometimes you might hear
>> this from people who do not know how to do mathematics, or who do not have
>> the resources for providing the blind with accessible material.
>> 
>> You must learn the Braille Nemeth code to be able to perform college-level
>> mathematics.
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Regards
>> Louis Maher
>> Phone 713-444-7838
>> E-mail ljmaher at swbell.net
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Blindmath [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Laura
>> Etori via Blindmath
>> Sent: Monday, December 14, 2015 11:26 AM
>> To: jheim at math.wisc.edu; Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics
>> <blindmath at nfbnet.org>
>> Cc: Laura Etori <letori.etori6 at gmail.com>
>> Subject: Re: [Blindmath] Math in your head (was: alternative methods of
>> learning college algebra)
>> 
>> well I am the student asking for the input
>> 
>> but I get that' its good to apply technology and probably in the long run it
>> would do me good to learn math code coz honestly I sometimes find it tedious
>> to do math in my head all the time but, it would be a good practice to
>> cultivate
>> 
>> thanks a lot for the input I will be sure to use it and if anyone else has
>> more input I am open minded to workable suggestions
>> 
>> thanks. <div id="DDB4FAA8-2DD7-40BB-A1B8-4E2AA1F9FDF2"><table
>> style="border-top: 1px solid #aaabb6; margin-top: 10px;">
>>    <tr>
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>> 
>>> On 12/14/15, John G Heim via Blindmath <blindmath at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> Maybe I'm getting my responders mixed up but weren't you the one
>>> originally advocating doing everything in your head?
>>> 
>>> You're totally wrong about what you say below though. Arithmetic is
>>> only a very small part of mathematics and you can do the vast majority
>>> of the arithmetic in your head faster than you can with a calculator.
>>> No exam is going to ask a student to calculate the cosign of a 45
>>> degree angle by whipping out their calculator.
>>> 
>>> But I'm not even talking about doing arithmetic. I'm saying that most
>>> math students, if asked to calculate the cosign of a 45 degree angle
>>> would have to take out a paper and pencil, draw the unit circle, write
>>> down the Pythagorean theorum, and  work it out on paper. If you can
>>> develop an ability to do all that in your head, you're way better off.
>>> 
>>> I pretty regularly come across students who have told me that they
>>> have been told they can't be mathematicians because math is
>>> essentially a visual thing. Quite honestly, I think not only is that
>>> wrong, it's backward. Relying on vision to do mathematics is a drawback.
>>> 
>>>> On 12/14/2015 09:14 AM, Jeremy wrote:
>>>> Though I can understand your perspective as a blind person, just
>>>> about every human being in the modern world carries a cell phone, and
>>>> all cell phones have calculators. Why trust or tax your memory when a
>>>> device which can compute far, far more than your brain will ever be
>>>> able to calculate is right in your pocket. Why walk across the
>>>> country when a technological advancement such as an airplane will
>>>> take you to your destination in hours with no effort on your part.
>>>> 
>>>> Those who know math well such as professors and opt to make
>>>> calculations using paper and pencil are probably doing so because
>>>> they have long become aware of the human brain's computational
>>>> weaknesses and simply solve problems in this way to eliminate the
>>>> possibility of error.
>>>> 
>>>> The reason we as humans have seen an incredible jump in our
>>>> technological advancements is due to computers. If we didn't invent
>>>> computing machines we would be stuck using slide rulers and taking
>>>> all day to compute relatively simple calculations which would overall
>>>> hinder technological advancements.
>>>> 
>>>> I can imagine making calculations in your head gets some "wows" from
>>>> others, but it is not reliable if your goal is accuracy. One will
>>>> have to weigh the pros and cons of learning and practicing mental
>>>> math over the amount of time necessary to learn such a skill.
>>>> 
>>>> If you want to see some amazing stuff, look up videos with Asians
>>>> competing against one another using the abacus. These guys are
>>>> multiplying and dividing 6-digit numbers in seconds, which would not
>>>> normally be possible without such an instrument.
>>>> 
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: Blindmath [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
>>>> John G Heim via Blindmath
>>>> Sent: Monday, December 14, 2015 6:25 AM
>>>> To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics
>>>> Cc: John G Heim
>>>> Subject: Re: [Blindmath] alternative methods of learning college
>>>> algebra
>>>> 
>>>> I would hesitate to say that you absolutely have to learn braille math.
>>>> But I'd be even more hesitant to say you don't need it either and I
>>>> would put a different spin on doing everything in your head. Being
>>>> able to do math in your head is an extremely valuable skill to have
>>>> -- if you can develop it. That's actually true for any math student.
>>>> Personally, it amazes me how some really good mathematicians have to
>>>> write everything down. It strikes me as primitive. But I'm sure
>>>> humans vary greatly on their ability to do math in their head and
>>>> some people are going to have a greater need to write things down
>>>> than others. It strikes me as bad advice to tell someone to forget
>>>> about writing stuff down.
>>>> 
>>>> I do like the advice someone gave to learn latex. A knowledge of
>>>> latex is considered so basic here at the Department of Mathematics at
>>>> the University of Wisconsin that we don't even teach a mini-course in
>>>> it any more.  We don't teach the alphabet either. If you are going to
>>>> major in math, you're expected to know latex.
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>>> On 12/14/2015 01:51 AM, Jeremy via Blindmath wrote:
>>>>> Post the faculty website listing you as "college mathematics
>>>>> professor at a community college." If this is not the case, I think
>>>>> it may not be legal for someone to walk around playing pretend in
>>>>> regards to professional academic credentials.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Though you think you may have excelled at mathematics using your
>>>>> technique, it is probably very likely that an objective comparison
>>>>> of methods and outcomes may not be as generous to your
>>>>> self-assessment of your mathematic ability.
>>>>> 
>>>>> If you have truly worked with as many individuals as you claim, it
>>>>> is likely you would know by now that people learn in very different
>>>>> ways, and not everyone will be as fluent with mathematics as
>>>>> another, so claiming no one needs braille and alike to complete math
>>>>> assignments is the type of comment coming from an amateur and not a
>> professional.
>>>>> Surely you've heard of the normal distribution, if so, why would you
>>>>> dare
>>>> make such a comment?
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: Blindmath [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
>>>>> David Moore via Blindmath
>>>>> Sent: Sunday, December 13, 2015 10:36 PM
>>>>> To: Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics
>>>>> Cc: David Moore
>>>>> Subject: Re: [Blindmath] alternative methods of learning college
>>>>> algebra
>>>>> 
>>>>> Hi Laura,
>>>>> I had sight until I was 15. By the way, my name is David Moore.
>>>>> After I lost my sight, I learned how to do all the math I had done
>>>>> up through high school algebra in my head the way that I had seen it
>>>>> with my eyes. You can learn how to concentrate so well, that you
>>>>> could be able to see the algebra in your head just how you would see
>>>>> it written and do all of the steps in your head and obtain the
>>>>> answer by seeing every step just like it is in front of your eyes. I
>>>>> Majored in math by using this method. If someone reads you a
>>>>> problem, you can learn how to keep every step straight in your head.
>>>>> If you need some braille to write down, just make up any code you
>>>>> want. No one else reads the Braille anyway, so as long as you know
>>>>> what it means, you can just make up your code. Please email me,
>>>>> Laura. Braille is not needed to do math and do not let these Braille
>>>>> crazy people tell you that. If I do write math down in Braille, I
>>>>> use some made up code, because I am the only one who reads Braille.
>>>>> I will share my experience with you and teach you tricks of doing
>>>>> all math in your head. Have a great one, can't wait to talk to you.
>>>>> I will help you get an A in that class. I have tutored sighted and
>>>>> blind alike just for fun. You will be fine and you can do it. I am a
>>>>> college mathematics professor at a community
>>>> college. I am also totally blind. You can do it, I am proof. Take care.
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: Louis Maher via Blindmath
>>>>> Sent: Sunday, December 13, 2015 10:11 PM
>>>>> To: 'Blind Math list for those interested in mathematics'
>>>>> Cc: Louis Maher
>>>>> Subject: Re: [Blindmath] alternative methods of learning college
>>>>> algebra
>>>>> 
>>>>> You must learn Braille and Nemeth Code which is the Braille
>>>>> mathematics code.
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> Regards
>>>>> Louis Maher
>>>>> Phone 713-444-7838
>>>>> E-mail ljmaher at swbell.net
>>>>> 
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: Blindmath [mailto:blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
>>>>> Laura Etori via Blindmath
>>>>> Sent: Sunday, December 13, 2015 7:34 PM
>>>>> To: Blindmath at nfbnet.org
>>>>> Cc: Laura Etori <letori.etori6 at gmail.com>
>>>>> Subject: [Blindmath] alternative methods of learning college algebra
>>>>> 
>>>>> greetings everyone
>>>>> 
>>>>> I am a college student and i am not proficient in braille. that is
>>>>> because i lost my sight recently.
>>>>> 
>>>>> for my core curricular courses i am expected to take college algebra
>>>>> and since i do not know math braille i would love to get suggestions
>>>>> from all of you on how i can be able to go through my course using
>>>> alternative methods.
>>>>> i am totally blind and eager to take up any suggestions.
>>>>> 
>>>>> your input is highly appreciated and thanks a lot.
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> --
>>>>> for it is Him who works in us, and works through us, and makes
>>>>> everything beautiful and marvelous in His time and splendour.
>>>>> Kind regards
>>>>> Laura Etori
>>>>> 
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>>>>> 
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>> 
>> --
>> for it is Him who works in us, and works through us, and makes everything
>> beautiful and marvelous in His time and splendour.
>> Kind regards
>> Laura Etori
>> 
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