Are college algebra professors always so rigid about using an algorithm?

Question

My husband is in an algebra II class and wanted my help solving a problem, well actually solving a problem using a specific formula. Thing is I teach elementary school using everyday math or chicago math where you are encouraged to let students discover how to solve their own way. I totally can solve his equations in fewer steps that make sense to me, however the process he is learning is complicated and has no meaning to me. Would a college math professor really discourage discovering the answer on your own by your own method? It is a bazaar expectation for me.

Answer 1

I agree, that is strange; you would hope college professors would encourage independent thinking. It's possible the professor wants the students to demonstrate that they can do the problem the "formal" way, understanding all the steps, before allowing them to take shortcuts.

Answer 2

Sometimes professors require a specific process, even for problems that can be solved in easier ways, because later on you will need that specific process. In theory, it should be easier to learn on easier problems.



Honestly, most college professors did not get into the game to teach algebra, and some of them are a little bitter about it. Algebra isn't as compelling as multivariate calculus, and once you teach the same thing for a few years in a row... Well, let's just say you aren't going to go out of your way to encourage your students to "explore" with math.

Answer 3

once you learn algorithms it is much eisier than gradeschool stuff. and its hard to go back.