Episode Details

You might want your magnifying glass for this one, because in this episode we're getting a little nitpicky. Pam and Kim discuss common and often traditional nomenclature/math-slang that can take the reasoning out of mathematics. They offer useful alternatives and illustrate the importance of using clear mathematical language so students have less opportunites for misunderstaning the mathematics.
Talking Points:

• Adding a zero
• No 'Butt-Cheeks' in math
• 'Canceling' can means many different things
• Will reducing 6/8ths to 3/4s give me more pie...?
• Three-point-two or three and 2 tentsh or $3 and 20 cents?
• 'Over' is a positional word, not a mathematical relationship
• 'And' in bigger numbers

See Episode 140 for further discussion of more unhelpful words we use in math class.