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Difference between revisions of "Scope of formula"

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==Examples==
 
==Examples==
  
# Square root and square are inverse to each other for nonnegative real numbers, i.e. for <math>a \ge 0</math>: <math>\sqrt{a^2}=a</math>. Without the prerequisite <math>a \ge 0</math> the formula would read <math>\sqrt{a^2}=|a|</math>.
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#Square root and square are inverse to each other for nonnegative real numbers, i.e. for <math>a \ge 0</math>: <math>\sqrt{a^2}=a</math>. Without the prerequisite <math>a \ge 0</math> the formula would read <math>\sqrt{a^2}=|a|</math>. In fact, many students use <math>\sqrt{a^2}=a</math> without checking the applicability/validity of this prerequisite. Of course, the fomula then leads to wrong results if the ignored prerequisite does not hold. This is e.g. the case for <math>a=-2</math>. There <math>\sqrt{a^2}=\sqrt{(-2)^2}=\sqrt{4}=2</math> and, hence, does not equal <math>a=-2</math>.
# Scope of quadratic formula as described in [[DecodingWork:Scope of quadratic formula]]
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#Scope of quadratic formula as described in [[DecodingWork:Scope of quadratic formula]]
  
 
[[Category:Mathematics]]
 
[[Category:Mathematics]]
 
[[Category:Bottleneck]]
 
[[Category:Bottleneck]]

Latest revision as of 16:30, 22 July 2024

Description of Bottleneck

When using a mathematical formula students don’t check whether the prerequisites for the applicability of this formula apply.

Intended Learning Outcome

This bottleneck relates to the following intended learning outcome: Students always check whether a given formula comes with prerequisites for its applicability and whether these prerequisites hold in a given situation.

Examples

  1. Square root and square are inverse to each other for nonnegative real numbers, i.e. for <math>a \ge 0</math>: <math>\sqrt{a^2}=a</math>. Without the prerequisite <math>a \ge 0</math> the formula would read <math>\sqrt{a^2}=|a|</math>. In fact, many students use <math>\sqrt{a^2}=a</math> without checking the applicability/validity of this prerequisite. Of course, the fomula then leads to wrong results if the ignored prerequisite does not hold. This is e.g. the case for <math>a=-2</math>. There <math>\sqrt{a^2}=\sqrt{(-2)^2}=\sqrt{4}=2</math> and, hence, does not equal <math>a=-2</math>.
  2. Scope of quadratic formula as described in DecodingWork:Scope of quadratic formula