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Why is it that when you get to partial differential equations, i.e. "real math for the real world", you have to resort to guessing, and approximations to solve problems?
Why is it that a zillion people can solve math problems, yet only a very few can set up the problem to begin with? The setup is the most important part in the "real" world. A friend of mine, who was in calculus class in HS, could not figure out how to calculate the length of guy wires for an antenna, until a triangle was mentioned. I have found that this is not uncommon, for even highly educated people. Its those 8th grade word problems that usually give them the most trouble.
Last edited by snowman; 10-29-2006 at 04:45 PM..
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