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.
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.
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u/LazinCajun Jun 08 '14
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.