Paul, thanks for shooting the USA Today story on the dumbing-down of algebra my way. Apparently proofs are passe, as long as we can still conceptualize the existence of an algebraic system. The rest is what Texas Instruments’ graphing calculators are for.
Maybe we just need some fun and “relevant” proofs to engage our reluctant young algebraians. Here’s one: the algebraic proof that Girls Are Evil (passed along to me once by a male “friend.”)
If some of you already thought girls were evil–well now you can prove it, according to Dan Bach, who has kindly furnished this and several other engaging exercises for your mathematical entertainment.
Dan Bach’s Proof that Girls are Evil (Dan’s note: I don’t take responsibility for any sexist overtones here–proof contributed by a female student).
?
First we state that girls require time and money
Girls = Time * Money
And we all know that “time is money”
Time = Money
Therefore
Girls = Money * Money = (Money)^2
And because “money is the root of all evil”
Money = square root of (Evil)
Therefore
Girls = square root of (Evil)^2
And we are forced to conclude that
Girls = Evil
Karen’s note: In today’s world, we could just as easily say “Boys = Time * Money.” You take it from there.
Oh wait, that’s been done, too.
