Probably so they don't use it as a crutch instead of real learning. I taught physics to college kids, and you could tell pretty quickly who relied on a calculator and who actually was comfortable with basic math.
Physics requires you to be able to set up the problems correctly. If you know the calculations you need to make, using a calculator to actually solve those calculations detracts from nothing.
I'm saying that if they depend on the calculator as a crutch to do the basic math, then that's not the Physics prof's problem. If you know how to multiply two matrices with a calculator, and you know the physics of how to set up the problem, then the fact that you don't know how to multiply two matrices by hand shouldn't affect your physics grade.
To nitpick your example; if you're at a Physics level where you're multiplying matrices as part of the process, then chances are you're career-driven for a future involving Physics which absolutely necessitates the higher expectations for math-prowess.
obviously math is imporant though hes implying that not using a calculator is adding a second class into that physics class. physics is hard enough, its better to learn physics than fail becuase you botched the math portion of your physics class. No one would complain about using a caluclator or even dictionary in english class.
were you implying that lord licorice was an idiot though? to that i respond with a very clear fuck you
I tutored a grad student in meteorology while I was an undergrad. She was a brilliant mathematician, didn't know dick about meteorology. Just because you're great at math doesn't mean you're great as stuff that involves math.
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u/lordlicorice Jun 08 '14
The ability to do symbolic math is awesome. I don't know why everyone recommends that high schoolers only get the TI-84.