Math classes should not teach things that the students are not ready to derive

For example, I was told in elementary school to accept on faith that pi is a certain number and what to use it for with the radius and circumference of circles. I asked why is pi that specific number, but the teacher refused to answer and said that would be taught years later. If the derivation is above students heads, then they're not ready to learn that part of math. Pi should not be taught until a student can calculate the nth digit of pi for any given n (base 2 is easier than base 10). You wouldnt teach the 10x10 multiplication table without students being able to fill it in on their own by adding. The need to use FAITH in math is why students think it doesnt make sense. Get the FAITH out of math class.

Submitted January 18, 2020 at 09:08AM by BenRayfield https://ift.tt/378oyhw