[BlindMath] synthetic division

[Susan Osterhaus]

Yes John! Our students at TSBVI still use the Perkins braille writer for
polynomial division and working matrices manually. However, we also let them
use an accessible calculator such as the Orion TI-84+ or Desmos for working
with larger matrices. We need to try using multi-line braille displays for
polynomial division and solving systems of equations and inequalities.
However, many cannot afford these yet, although there are programs in place
for making some more affordable.

Peter, I still remember having to teach division of polynomials on a braille
writer to students who had never learned long division in the early grades.
Yes, it is not easy teaching or learning long division for the first time in
high school!! Nevertheless, my students got it!!

Shelley, I wanted current blind users to speak up first before I answered
you. I think the old fashioned method of using the Perkins braille writer is
still the best method. Even if you do have a Monarch at your fingertips,
starting on the braillewriter would probably be a good idea. Then, see if
you can transition to a Monarch or other multi-line braille display.

In addition to polynomial division, solving systems, and working with
matrices, it is also difficult (if not impossible according to the
single-line braille display users that I know) to create a number line graph
unless you have access to at least 3 lines of refreshable braille at the
same time. Again, start with the tried and true braille writer, and then try
it on a multi-line braille display.

The old, but still not retired,
Susan

-----Original Message-----
From: BlindMath <blindmath-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of John Miller via
BlindMath
Sent: Sunday, February 16, 2025 10:25 AM
To: peter.julien.rayner at gmail.com; blindmath at nfbnet.org
Cc: John Miller <johnmillerphd at hotmail.com>; blindmath at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [BlindMath] synthetic division

Hello, I do polynomial division to this day using a Perkins braille writer.
It is a key concept and data communications in engineering. Also finding the
inverse of a three-dimensional or a four dimensional matrix is quite useful
on a Perkins braille writer, despite having access to a single line braille
display very best John.
Sent from my iPhone

> On Feb 15, 2025, at 1:38 PM, Peter Rayner via BlindMath
> <blindmath at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> I'd never heard polynomial division called this before. I can imagine
> doing this without some multi-line display by working out the first
> term in the quotient, multiplying out the denominator, gathering
> coefficients and subtracting then rince and repeat with the remainder
> but good grief it would be horrible! Doing my own algebra is the last
> major use case for my perkins and polynomial division is a good
> example why.
> btw, it wasn't until I learned polynomial division that I really
> understood how long division worked.
> cheers
> Peter
>
>
>
> Shelley Mack via BlindMath writes:
>> Greetings!
>>
>> If a student is beginning to learn synthetic division of polynomials,
>> should the student begin on a Perkins brailler? Or I suppose a
>> Monarch? I am transcribing for a student who does work primarily on a
>> BrailleNote, but I can't envision a way to learn to do this one braille
>> line at a time.
>> (Sidebar: I am definitely old school when it comes to math in
>> braille, being a retired TVI and certified transcriber. But if
>> someone has a better way, please let me know.) Thoughts?
>>
>> Thanks,
>> Shelley Mack
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