Comments on: The Algebra of Coffee Consumption http://MrHonner.com/2012/08/29/the-algebra-of-coffee-consumption/ Math Appreciation Mon, 20 May 2013 01:30:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 By: MrHonner http://MrHonner.com/2012/08/29/the-algebra-of-coffee-consumption/#comment-1148 MrHonner Fri, 31 Aug 2012 11:19:53 +0000 http://mrhonner.com/?p=5598#comment-1148 I think graphing is a great approach, and one that I would include with students at all levels. Of course, there’s a great deal of algebra hiding in the Cartesian plane, so I’m not sure I agree that graphing the situation and then interpreting the results would avoid the use of algebra.

]]> By: ccssimath http://MrHonner.com/2012/08/29/the-algebra-of-coffee-consumption/#comment-1147 ccssimath Thu, 30 Aug 2012 14:36:47 +0000 http://mrhonner.com/?p=5598#comment-1147 We wouldn’t use algebra for such a question; we’d graph it. Then you could bring the problem into an elementary school classroom (we’re not suggesting elementary school kids drink coffee; they may be bouncing off the walls already.)

]]> By: MrHonner http://MrHonner.com/2012/08/29/the-algebra-of-coffee-consumption/#comment-1146 MrHonner Wed, 29 Aug 2012 14:45:16 +0000 http://mrhonner.com/?p=5598#comment-1146 “Does the more expensive coffee taste better?” is an excellent question, and one that could lead to a new level of quantitative analysis in this problem.

My feeling is that it’s not 50% better. But maybe my palette is not refined enough. :-)

]]> By: Fawn Nguyen http://MrHonner.com/2012/08/29/the-algebra-of-coffee-consumption/#comment-1145 Fawn Nguyen Wed, 29 Aug 2012 13:40:25 +0000 http://mrhonner.com/?p=5598#comment-1145 Algebra saves the day, again! But doesn’t the more expensive coffee taste better? ;)

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