I got B's all the way through, including algebra. The only thing I have ever needed is the basic 4. I excelled in geometry, and that I used constantly during my construction career.
I never planned on college, way out of the parents pay grade. I was a tradesman starting in my mid teens. I knew that farming was not in my future, but still something I loved.
Mike.
My You Tube
That example may be the original 'new math' but that is NOT how they are teaching it today. The current method is truly bizarre.
I was probably a year or two too early to get the "new math" in my area. I vaguely recall a bit of that, but I mostly learned the old fashioned way. Single digit multiplication was strictly memorization - and amazingly I had a hard time with it, reduced to tears while practicing with my Mom. I say amazingly because I went on do take extra math classes and get a degree in engineering.
But I've never used anything more than algebra and geometry in the real world. I don't use any of that calculus I learned. Fourier transforms? Modern oscilloscopes do it right in the device, push a button and I'm looking at frequency domain, push again and I'm back to time domain.
And when it comes to carpentry - I'm far from an expert. I can't toe nail to save my life. But plain square frames - that's not too difficult. OK, I took wood shop in high school - but I made a night stand. What I'm doing now is going kind of slow, but I'm wondering if I'm not being too picky in trying to get everything perfect - the subroadbed isn;t going to rest directly on the horizontal parts, so do they have to be all preceily the same height and as perfectly level as I can get them? There will be risers to level out the subroadbed. Maybe if I just eyeballed it and saved the perfect leveling for the risers, i could get things done faster.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I LOVE retirement.
York1 John
I took differential equations in college. I remember absolutely none of it, though I am sure I got at least a B in it.
I left engineering and went into medicine, where I also learned a lot I would never need to know again, but my college roommate went to work at a defense contractor as an oceanographer. He did all sorts of sound analysis on submarines.
He told me he used Diffy Q's every day.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
OK, I went to MIT and majored in Physics. I had a lot of absurdly high-level math. I went on to be an astrophysicist and later a rocket scientist.
I used very little of that math, though. Algebra, sure, even bits of baby calculus on rare occasions, but in a career of this stuff that stuff from college was never called for.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
To show you how bad schools were in my day, even college, I faked my way though most classes. I was one of those kids who just did not fit in. In high school on the most important paper of all high school (a type of resurch paper), I picked out a subject and all the real info I used was garnered from an elimentery school book. I then wrote a B+ paper using my best sesquipedalian form and went to the library for fake foot notes (only library work I did on the paper). Took me longer to type the paper than write it, as it had to be perfect, took me a couple of days for the whole thing. A so called freind of mine, who knew what I had done, reported me because he spent over 6 weeks in the library (like you were soposed to) and got a D-. Only thing that happened was teacher allwed him to rewrite his paper and he ended with a C-, barely passing.
Well, I don't have a college degree. The high school I went to had four credits in Drafting and Architecture, I got A's in all four classes.
I did study Historic Preservation and Architectural History at the college level.
I was taught the basics of electrical engineering as it relates to building power systems and industrial controls by an EE I worked for right out of high school. And in that same office I learned a lot about HVAC design from the ME as well.
A couple jobs later I worked under an ME who taught me welding theory, pressure vessel design, plumbing and industrial refrigeration theory and design.
I'm self taught in residential structural engineering - books are amazing things.
Yes, every Engineer I ever worked for said the same thing, the main thing they teach you in engineering school is which book to find the right formula in...........
And doing all these different types of engineering, I don't think I have ever used the most advanced math I learned in high school..........
In the 80's I converted relay logic into early PLC programing software.
Today I restore old houses, design additions and new houses, design hydronic heating systems and layout building wiring systems, and I seldom need more than simple Algebra and Geometry.
And I shake my head at how these schools are trying to teach my grandchildren math..........
Sheldon
ATLANTIC CENTRALAnd I shake my head at how these schools are trying to teach my grandchildren math....
Like I said, they are trying to teach concepts and the "big picture" as well as processes. Most of the people my age (mid 50s) were only educated in the processes. I was fortunate to go to a private prep academy in Gainesville, Florida, where I was taught theory and concepts before processes.
There is nothing new about the new math. It will help the kids when they reach more advanced mathmatics.
If they don't ever go into advanced math, then they are still OK, because they will always have a smart phone.
Process is not as important now. We have iPhones for that.
Theory and concept is where genius will be revealed.
They will spend more time on stem and leaf plots, geometry, trigonometry, ven diagrams, groups, subsets, variables, and polynomials than we ever did.
My senior year I took two math classes, AP Calculus and Integrated Mathmatics For The College Bound Student (Trig and Balanced Equations). While I have long since forgotten, and never used, anything I learned in these classes, I know my noodle is better developed for having learned them once.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
School and I did not get along well, I figured everything you learned in a semester could be read in a week and thought school was a waste of time. I got an "A" in Phys Ed and was a solid "B" student in everything else. I missed 56 classes in math 12 and got a B+. Instead of going to school like I should have been, I was working a good paying full time job through grade 11 and 12 that enabled me to buy my first rental property at age 18. I use to ride my bicycle to it if I had to fix something or show it to a perspective renter. They did not believe I was the landlord when I would show up. I bought a few more rental properties shortly after that.
At forty I thought I would like to get married and have kids having taken care of my bucket list. The wife and I had two kids and they are pretty smart. Early preschool testing by the Government had research groups asking if we could be tested for IQ and so we spent three days at BC Childrens hospital being tested. Apparently a proper IQ test takes three full days to administer. My wife is one of the smartest people I have ever known, she is a Veterinary surgeon with degrees in genetics, nutritian and agriculture. I have a High School diploma and scored one point lower than her on the test. To this day I believe that was an error.
My Daughter was asked by some research people at the University Of British Columbia if they could study her brain through her High School years. She did volunteer and had a lot of testing and MRIs to study her brain. I was watching a Ted Talks once on the brain and it sounded like the person talking was speaking about my daughter. I showed the video to my daughter and it was the Dr. that used her for the research and it was my daughter she was talking about in the talk.
My wife is brilliant while I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer, the researchers did tell us to have more babies as the two we had were pretty remarkable. I just need to find out who their real father is.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Well, the virus had me freeze milk for the first time ever. Then I found out it takes more than four days for a frozen gallon of milk to thaw in the refrigerator.
I have milk in my coffee today for the first time in three days!
Remembering High School, Paul Simon comes to mind.
"When I think back on all that crap I learned in high school, it's a wonder I can think at all"
I got A's in subjects I was interested in. All affiliated mathematics, art, wood shop, mechanics shop, Gym and science Most all the other subjects, not so much
I do believe a lot of our education was mind conditioning as well. I always thought they should scrap high school. One should know enough basic fundamentals by the time they get there.
They should gear it more like college and let kids study what they're interested in to better prepare them for their future. After all, we are all individuals.
TF
SeeYou190 ATLANTIC CENTRAL And I shake my head at how these schools are trying to teach my grandchildren math.... Like I said, they are trying to teach concepts and the "big picture" as well as processes. Most of the people my age (mid 50s) were only educated in the processes. I was fortunate to go to a private prep academy in Gainesville, Florida, where I was taught theory and concepts before processes. There is nothing new about the new math. It will help the kids when they reach more advanced mathmatics. If they don't ever go into advanced math, then they are still OK, because they will always have a smart phone. Process is not as important now. We have iPhones for that. Theory and concept is where genius will be revealed. They will spend more time on stem and leaf plots, geometry, trigonometry, ven diagrams, groups, subsets, variables, and polynomials than we ever did. My senior year I took two math classes, AP Calculus and Integrated Mathmatics For The College Bound Student (Trig and Balanced Equations). While I have long since forgotten, and never used, anything I learned in these classes, I know my noodle is better developed for having learned them once. -Kevin
ATLANTIC CENTRAL And I shake my head at how these schools are trying to teach my grandchildren math....
BATMAN School and I did not get along well, I figured everything you learned in a semester could be read in a week and thought school was a waste of time. I got an "A" in Phys Ed and was a solid "B" student in everything else. I missed 56 classes in math 12 and got a B+. Instead of going to school like I should have been, I was working a good paying full time job through grade 11 and 12 that enabled me to buy my first rental property at age 18. I use to ride my bicycle to it if I had to fix something or show it to a perspective renter. They did not believe I was the landlord when I would show up. I bought a few more rental properties shortly after that. At forty I thought I would like to get married and have kids having taken care of my bucket list. The wife and I had two kids and they are pretty smart. Early preschool testing by the Government had research groups asking if we could be tested for IQ and so we spent three days at BC Childrens hospital being tested. Apparently a proper IQ test takes three full days to administer. My wife is one of the smartest people I have ever known, she is a Veterinary surgeon with degrees in genetics, nutritian and agriculture. I have a High School diploma and scored one point lower than her on the test. To this day I believe that was an error. My Daughter was asked by some research people at the University Of British Columbia if they could study her brain through her High School years. She did volunteer and had a lot of testing and MRIs to study her brain. I was watching a Ted Talks once on the brain and it sounded like the person talking was speaking about my daughter. I showed the video to my daughter and it was the Dr. that used her for the research and it was my daughter she was talking about in the talk. My wife is brilliant while I am not the sharpest knife in the drawer, the researchers did tell us to have more babies as the two we had were pretty remarkable. I just need to find out who their real father is.
Back to the school bit, in High school I just didn't fit in so my parents sent me to a very unique very small high school (the school accualy taught all grades). The students were either like me or were reform school candidates, like half and half. I soon started accually learning stuff, I guess the staff really cared about the students and took a real life approch to things. Head master had the higherst IO you could test and had an intrest in all students and was fair.
I looked in the mirror this morning and realized that I would need a haircut fairly soon. The local barbers here are not very good even when they're open.
I'd better plan on waiting a couple of weeks after The Reopening until the crowds die down.
MisterBeasley I looked in the mirror this morning and realized that I would need a hair cut fairly soon.
I looked in the mirror this morning and realized that I would need a hair cut fairly soon.
Rich
Alton Junction
MisterBeasley I looked in the mirror this morning and realized that I would need a haircut fairly soon. The local barbers here are not very good even when they're open. I'd better plan on waiting a couple of weeks after The Reopening until the crowds die down.
I hear you on that one Mister B but I couldn't wait a couple weeks for another haircut. I'm starting to look like the yeti again.
I just got done laying a really cut up floor in the building. With one piece linoleum floors I'll always use paper, masking tape, a scissors and make a one piece stencil. That way I never make an expensive mistake. I may not be the brightest light bulb in town but I do have a truck and some tools.
After I was done with my floor I came back home with the same scissors I used.... Well, my hair is cut and the truth of the matter be told is I haven't been to a barber in 20 years
I ain't that fancy and a home haircut selfie is good enough for me
Track fiddlerWell, my hair is cut and the truth of the matter be told is I haven't been to a barber in 20 years
I know this will sound weird, but I have never been to a barber.
When I was a kid, my mother cut my hair. She was very good, and she cut my father's, brothers' and uncles' hair.
In college, I didn't cut my hair until it was down my back, then I cut it straight across. I got pretty good at it.
After college, I continued to cut it until I married. My wife wanted to try it, and she was very good at it for many years. Now, with very little hair left, I can cut it again.
My barber is a woman. Been going to the same shop for 20 years. They hired her right out of barber school. Unfortunately she has decided she needed her nose pierced only in the last year. The owner of the shop calls her the best barber has ever seen.
Now for some good news. I walked the dog to the local park and back, 2 mi round trip. This afternoon I couldn't find my Iphone in any of the usual places I put it and punched up Find My Iphone. It as in the middle of the park, which has a playground, tennis courts (both roped off) basket ball court and lacrosse field. Usually there are people running their dogs, this time of year there would be lacrosse practice. I wasn't sure how accurate Find My Phone is, because when the phone is at home, it shows it across the street well into my neighbors yard. I walked right to it and it was highly visible standing on end in the soft ground. Without the Covid crisis somebody would have found it and sold it on the black market.
Which reminds me of a good story. I found an Iphone, left by girl who was trespasing at our waterfront the night before. Had to charge it up because it was dead. There were a whole bunch of messages from Mom, "Where are you?" "You better be home in 30 min" The messages became more frequent and more profane. Mom came and picked up the phone.
Track fiddlerRemembering High School, Paul Simon comes to mind. "When I think back on all that crap I learned in high school, it's a wonder I can think at all"
From what I'm hearing and reading in the media, there is much more "crap" being taught in highschools and below now more than ever!
Send your questions to Ask Dr. Science. Remember, he's not a real doctor. I have a masters degree in science. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OQ8CdPsUXg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9OQ8CdPsUXg
I really do have a masters degree in science, but remember, I'm not a real doctor!
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
BigDaddyThis afternoon I couldn't find my Iphone in any of the usual places I put it and punched up Find My Iphone.
I don't have an Iphone Henry, dumb question, what did you use to "punch up Find My Phone" ? since you didn't have your phone. The wife's phone?
mbinsewi BigDaddy This afternoon I couldn't find my Iphone in any of the usual places I put it and punched up Find My Iphone. I don't have an Iphone Henry, dumb question, what did you use to "punch up Find My Phone" ? since you didn't have your phone. The wife's phone? Mike.
BigDaddy This afternoon I couldn't find my Iphone in any of the usual places I put it and punched up Find My Iphone.
Before I moved to Delaware, I had been going to the same barbershop for 40 years. It was just an old fashioned shop, Sports Illustrated and a local paper on the table and a TV tuned to a ball game. It always smelled like hair tonic and lotion. It reminded me of going to the barbershop when I was a kid.
What do you bald guys do now that they have the bowling alleys shut down? Do they rent ball polishers at the big box stores?
More virus effects...
I am really beginning to look like a Bear, and I do not care. I do not have to go outside. I am not going to be on a Zoom Meeting.
My hair is longer than it has been in 10 years. I have not shaved in two weeks.
No desire to groom.
SeeYou190 More virus effects... I am really beginning to look like a Bear, and I do not care.
I am really beginning to look like a Bear, and I do not care.
richhotrainYou look like JaBear???
He lives so far away, nobody is really sure what JaBear looks like.
York1 richhotrain You look like JaBear??? He lives so far away, nobody is really sure what JaBear looks like.
richhotrain You look like JaBear???
mbinsewiI don't have an Iphone Henry, dumb question, what did you use to "punch up Find My Phone" ? since you didn't have your phone. Confused The wife's phone?
I'm not sure what the bare minimum is, but you have to activate Find My Phone on your Iphone, before you lose it. I have Icloud installed on my desktop and the Iphone automatically backs up photos to the Cloud. I assume it sends signals to Steve Jobs up in the cloud, from time to time.
Then I went to https://www.icloud.com/find on my computer You need to know your Apple ID and password.
The Apple tutorials are pretty good. You can also lock and erase your phone if you find it has been stolen.
richhotrain York1 richhotrain You look like JaBear??? He lives so far away, nobody is really sure what JaBear looks like. LOL. Maybe that is good? Rich
LOL. Maybe that is good?
JaBear did mention he does not like to eat hard shell tacos. He went on to say something like he doesn't mind the hard crumbs in his beard for a later snack but it's the messy juicy stuff he can't deal with. So I can somewhat imagine what he may look like