Can Teaching Improve Your Learning Skill?

  • Context: Undergrad 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Tyrion101
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between trigonometric identities, specifically focusing on whether certain expressions involving the tangent function are equivalent. Participants explore the implications of squaring the tangent function and the correct interpretation of mathematical notation. Additionally, there are personal reflections on learning challenges related to mathematics, including potential dyslexia.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether ##\tan^2(2x)## is simply the square of ##\tan(2x)##, with varying interpretations of the notation involved.
  • There is a discussion about the expression ##(2\tan(x)/(1-\tan^2(x)))^2## and its relationship to the tangent of double angles.
  • One participant expresses confusion over reading mathematical symbols correctly, relating it to potential dyslexia and seeking advice on minimizing misreading issues.
  • Another participant suggests that the misreading of symbols may not be dyslexia-related and proposes checking problem descriptions carefully before attempting solutions.
  • There are suggestions for improving learning skills through teaching others, emphasizing the value of self-explanation during problem-solving.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the equivalence of the trigonometric identities discussed, and there is no consensus on the interpretation of the mathematical expressions. Additionally, there are varied opinions on the nature of the reading difficulties experienced by one participant.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the importance of precise notation in mathematics, noting that missing parentheses can lead to misunderstandings. There is also mention of personal learning challenges that may affect mathematical comprehension.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in trigonometry, those facing challenges in mathematical reading comprehension, and educators looking for strategies to enhance learning through teaching may find this discussion relevant.

Tyrion101
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Is the first a squared version of the other? I understand the trig function involved if it's just (2x) and tan is not squared.
 
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No, I think what you're seeing is for twice the angle

Tan(2*theta)=tan(theta+theta)
 
Tan squared is in general not equal to tan of twice the angle.
 
But is it equal to: (2tanx/1-tan^2x)^2 is what I'm asking. I may have been unclear.
 
Tyrion101 said:
But is it equal to: (2tanx/1-tan^2x)^2 is what I'm asking. I may have been unclear.
Use precise pure-text symbolism to remove all ambiguity. Using TEX would be better.
 
(2tanx/1-tan^2x)^2
Trying TEX on my own, might work badly:
[tex](\frac{2tan(x)}{1-tan^2(x)})^2[/tex]

I cannot think of any clever identity. Try breaking into sines and cosines.
 
Tyrion101 said:
Is the first a squared version of the other? I understand the trig function involved if it's just (2x) and tan is not squared.
Now I understand what you asked.
No, those two are generally not equal.
 
Ok thanks! I'm beginning to understand. I'm going to be glad when the trig identities homework is fini(finished in French.)
 
Tyrion101 said:
Is the first a squared version of the other? I understand the trig function involved if it's just (2x) and tan is not squared.
@Tyrion101, despite what others have said in this thread, yes, ##\tan^2(2x)## is the square of ##\tan(2x)##.

Tyrion101 said:
But is it equal to: (2tanx/1-tan^2x)^2 is what I'm asking. I may have been unclear.
Yes and no. ##\tan^2(2x)## means ##[\tan(2x)]^2##, which in turn is equal to ## [\frac{2 \tan(x)}{1 - \tan^2(x)} ]^2##

In what you wrote, you are missing parentheses around the quantity in the denominator, 1 - tan2(x). What you wrote is the same as ##\frac{2\tan(x)}{1} - \tan^2(x)##
 
  • #10
Mark44 said:
@Tyrion101, despite what others have said in this thread, yes, ##\tan^2(2x)## is the square of ##\tan(2x)##.Yes and no. ##\tan^2(2x)## means ##[\tan(2x)]^2##, which in turn is equal to ## [\frac{2 \tan(x)}{1 - \tan^2(x)} ]^2##

In what you wrote, you are missing parentheses around the quantity in the denominator, 1 - tan2(x). What you wrote is the same as ##\frac{2\tan(x)}{1} - \tan^2(x)##
... and should be clear by now.
It be nice to know your history about your studies of Trigonometry, Tyrion101. Nothing wrong in studying Algebra 2 and Trigonometry more than once each, and one does not need to enroll in a class to do that. One should expect to learn material better through repeated study.
 
  • #11
Sorry for not completing the formula but I got my question answered. I get confused easily when frustrated or nervous, and in this case it was a bit of frustration. My two biggest problems in any math class seem to be the slowness at which I arrive at an answer, usually brought about by the other problem I have of misreading the question to begin with, I've long suspected that I have some form of dyslexia. For instance I saw a problem with -5beta (the actual symbol) and misread it to mean: -5/beta. Is there a at I can minimize this from happening?
 
  • #12
I'm not an expert on dyslexia or related problems, but if you misread 5β as 5/β, maybe you need glasses or contacts. That doesn't sound like dyslexia to me.

Also, before you get started working a problem, go back over the problem description to make sure that your first reading of it was correct.
 
  • #14
Mark44 said:
I'm not an expert on dyslexia or related problems, but if you misread 5β as 5/β, maybe you need glasses or contacts. That doesn't sound like dyslexia to me.

Also, before you get started working a problem, go back over the problem description to make sure that your first reading of it was correct.
It's other things too, like I'll do a problem 20 times only to find out that there is no sine2x at all. It's very frustrating. From what I understand from having gone to a school that helped dyslexic and add or adhd kids, it seems somewhat similar, but as you say Mark it might not be dyslexia related at all. Thanks for the link on math dyslexia I'd never heard of it before.
 
  • #15
As Sherlock Holmes might say:

We look but we don't not see.

You need to develop the over mind idea where as you're doing the problem you are looking over and validating what you did as you do it.

You can imagine yourself talking to yourself as you're doing the problem repeating what you're writing like you're teaching yourself.

Initially it may be hard to do and so it will take some practice to master.

Do you have someone you can teach to? By teaching you improve your learning skill.
 

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