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Home-schoolers, a bit of advise...

Discussion in 'Everything Else (off topic)' started by Beetle-Kill, Dec 20, 2013.

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  1. Beetle-Kill

    Beetle-Kill

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    How would you school a 33 yr. old on basic math?

    Outside of all the other crap I'm facing right now, ....this-
    My new office help, great girl, is really, really lacking in simple math skills. I want to keep her on the payroll, but she needs to get a clue. SO.. if you were coaching someone in regards to math, where would you start? I want to help her, but after 6 weeks on the job, she still doesn't get that a 4' x 8' sheet of steel = 32 square feet of material. She's gotta pick it up soon, it's critical for her. She is great in almost every other facet of her position, that's why I'm prepared to help her out above-n-beyond.
    Any math teachers out there? Thanks, JB
     
    Beetle-Kill, Dec 20, 2013
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  2. firecracker_77

    firecracker_77

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    Multiplication flash cards? That's how I learned at age 9
     
    firecracker_77, Dec 20, 2013
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  3. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    Got any kids around you could lift a math textbook from? I think firecracker is right, do it the same way we all learned in 4 th grade. Pictures, flash cards, word problems, and of course, homework.
     
    MasterMech, Dec 20, 2013
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  4. stuckinthemuck

    stuckinthemuck

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    Now I'm confused... You didn't give all of the required data for the word problem. How thick is the sheet of steel? Okay, got it, so for a 4x8 sheet of steel, there are 32 sqft of material on one side and 32 sqft of material on the other side.. If the steel is 1/2 inch think then (8+8+4+4)/(2x12)= 1 sqft of material on the edges. So the answer would be 65 sqft? So, is the customer billed by the square foot? Did I get it right? Can I get a job there? I bet I'd be able to double to profits overnight!!!!o_O

    Maybe you shouldn't have gone right into the Advance Placement Level math and just started with a more simple problem like one involving plywood..
     
    stuckinthemuck, Dec 20, 2013
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  5. rottiman

    rottiman

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    Does she happen to be a Blond????..........Just askin................LOL
     
    rottiman, Dec 20, 2013
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  6. fishingpol

    fishingpol

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    Is it that she does not understand the concept of determining something like the area, or is it the multiplication of numbers. A few years ago I took a pool operators exam for work and the book had formulation pages that had nice, clear diagrams to help determine what was need to measure a certain area. There were others for volume, perimeter, etc. A calculator or writing out the problem did the number side of it. Maybe a cheat sheet from this type of book would help her get more comfortable calculating.
     
    fishingpol, Dec 20, 2013
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  7. Jack Straw

    Jack Straw

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    What doesn't she understand? I mean she doesn't have to know that 4x8=32, her calculator can tell het that. I would think that somehow there is technology out there that would help her. It sounds like she is not sure what to multiply to get the answer?? It sure is nice of you to help her out instead of firing her.:thumbs:
     
    Last edited: Dec 20, 2013
    Jack Straw, Dec 20, 2013
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  8. raybonz

    raybonz Moderator

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    Sounds like your company needs to revise their application/hiring process and include testing basic mathematical skills if this is a job requirement.. Personally I would create a job aid that explains how to calculate square feet and encourage the use of a calculator. The employee then can reference this job aid as needed..

    Ray
     
    raybonz, Dec 20, 2013
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  9. eatonpcat

    eatonpcat

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    eatonpcat, Dec 20, 2013
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  10. Chvymn99

    Chvymn99 Moderator

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    Can you create a excel sheet that all she has to do is plug in numbers? From there it can create the answers she needs...

    I use excel a lot in these types of situations....except mines with standard to metric conversions, volumes and quantities.
     
    Chvymn99, Dec 20, 2013
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  11. Beetle-Kill

    Beetle-Kill

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    I'm liking the idea of flash cards, might keep her mind active when working the numbers.
    I have to establish a value to the numbers, take her out to the yard a few more times with a tape measure and let her get more familiar with what she's dealing with. Luckily, I'm a fairly patient sort but yesterday was "trying" to say the least. I'll work on her.
    And no, she's not a blond.;)
     
    Beetle-Kill, Dec 20, 2013
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  12. savemoney

    savemoney

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    savemoney, Dec 20, 2013
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  13. raybonz

    raybonz Moderator

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    raybonz, Dec 20, 2013
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  14. raybonz

    raybonz Moderator

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    Screen shot here of how I set it up.. Enter the value in feet and inches in cell A2 and the resulting square feet appear in cell B2.. Must be entered in feet and inches and why I added the example in cell A1..

    Ray
     

    Attached Files:

    raybonz, Dec 20, 2013
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  15. MasterMech

    MasterMech The Mechanical Moderator

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    There is something very wrong with a workforce that can operate a personal computer, but cannot calculate the area of a rectangle. :zip:
     
    MasterMech, Dec 20, 2013
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  16. Pallet Pete

    Pallet Pete Moderator

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    Pallet Pete, Dec 20, 2013
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  17. Pyroholic

    Pyroholic

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    Since we're talking about learning here I can't help but point out that the thread title should likely read '...a bit of advice'.

    I would advise a correction.
     
    Pyroholic, Dec 21, 2013
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  18. raybonz

    raybonz Moderator

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    LOL I hear you.. I have to "bite my tongue" often!
     
    raybonz, Dec 21, 2013
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  19. Pyroholic

    Pyroholic

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    All in good fun, of course.
     
    Pyroholic, Dec 21, 2013
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  20. SmokeyTheBear

    SmokeyTheBear

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    LOL.
     
    SmokeyTheBear, Dec 21, 2013
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