Question

what is wrong with this question?
Which best describes a minimum value of a polynomial? A. A point on the graph of the polynomial that has a smaller x-value than any nearby points on the graph B. A point on the graph of the polynomial that has a greater y-value than any nearby points on the graph C. A point on the graph of the polynomial that has a greater x-value than any nearby points on the graph D. A point on the graph of the polynomial that has a smaller y-value than any nearby points on the graph

Answer 1

why i hate math teachers

Answer 2

It should ask : "Which best describes a relative/local minimum of a polynomial" ?

Answer 3

no

Answer 4

anyone?

Answer 5

Well.. It states "nearby points"' without defining what that "nearby" even means?

Answer 6

way more basic error

Answer 7

jeez really?

Answer 8

The other thing that annoys me is that the answers refer 'points' and you're asked for 'value'..

Answer 9

whew!!

Answer 10

the minimum value of a function is a NUMBER!!!

Answer 11

I feel so dumb now

Answer 12

lol thats hilarious xD

Answer 13

I kept staring at it to

Answer 14

yeah well, the confusion is perpetuated by math teachers
they get these teaching degrees and learn no math
astounding really

Answer 15

its more due to carelessness than not knowing enough math i guess..

Answer 16

i would argue otherwise

Answer 17

math is the only subject where someone is permitted to teach because they have reached a level of 2 to 4 years above the student
imagine me saying "hey, i can read on a 9th grade level, so certainly i am competent to teach 6th grade english"

Answer 18

plus someone wrote this question
maybe for an on line system maybe not, but i know for a fact that most questions, while written by ramen noodle eating impoverished grad students, are supposed to be checked for accuracy
they have whole data banks of this stuff

Answer 19

i will go take a valium now and be quiet

Answer 20

^^ agreed ... this is also whats wrong with system of standardized testing for math

Answer 21

so why do you hate math teachers ?? :O

Answer 22

what is worse is that the student now believes this, and as always here on OS when you try to explain, they tell you "well, i have to put in something what should it be"
it is all "get the right answer" oriented to the point where the answer isn't even a number or an expression, it is A,B, C or D

Answer 23

ive never liked multiple choice Q's for math tests, it seems to help the teachers more than the students.
However, we need an efficient and fast way to grade and collect scores so that schools get funding , oh well

Answer 24

This is a mistake. And yes mistakes have their price. In this case the confusion of the students.
However such mistakes can be fixed and since even NASA makes mistakes I wouldn't expect of HW exercises to be flawless.
But say it was flawless, and all the questions were perfectly formed, do you really think it would be any better?

Yes, I do not like those ABCD questions as well, but the phenomenon you describe is caused by the students' lack of interest.
I can tell that in here those kind of online-tests and ABCD questions are not common and yet the lack of interest exists.

I think the problem is that the students don't really have anything to do with the math they are taught. I actually get that feeling about many subjects, not just math.
When asked for a reason to learn it, the math teachers' usual answer is that "math is everywhere" pointing at "science", "computers" etc. and the students don't really find any use for it.
The ironic thing is that people spent their entire lives on developing the math and for a reason. There were actual real problems they were trying to solve and they needed the right tools.
I think that the real problem is that the students do not get exposed to those problems or to the personal aspect of problem solving and do not see what it is really all about.

However, I do find it hard to imagine of showing children that learn basic algebra how to break the atom..
I can't really blame the teachers for not being in a system that gives the students that kind of rich experience. This is a project, not something i can really expect from a single teacher to develop.
It requires developing a whole new learning method from the beginning, including resources, exercises and training programs for the teachers and could take many years.

I'm not trying to say it is impossible to change, I'm just trying to think about it in a practical manner.
I do see how pioneer projects have grown thanks to the internet. Projects like Khan academy and Udacity, or even some in form of Youtube channels,
Although I do not feel they are quite there yet, they do make an important step by making the information more accessible.
While such projects are not being used officially by schools, they still play an important role of being an alternative method that could be later adopted officially.

Well, that's just my opinion anyway \( \Large ☺ \)

Answer 25

Seems to me a point on a graph can perfectly "describe" a value. A number is only one way of doing so. So is a jar full of jelly beans, or holding up some fingers, etc. The question provides four choices and the respondent is asked to choose the best "description" of a minimum value. Rather then bashing math teachers, maybe you should bone up on your English.

Answer 26

hmm "iive never liked multiple choice Q's for math tests" ===> dumbcow :O
it's really helpful for some students :P i mean at least we can guess on the test instead of empty papers :P:P :D

Answer 27

@satellite73 , If you haven't already gotten your Ph.D, I suggest that your dissertation can be over how math teachers are stupid :P