Colloquium Series

Pre-Algebra and the Chinese Remainder Theorem: Connections for Teachers and Students

Beth Burroughs Mathematics Education Candidate Humboldt State University

As part of a mathematics teacher preparation program, the study of number theory is generally required. NCTM's Principles and Standards for School Mathematics calls for instruction enabling students in grades 6-8 to “use factors, multiples, prime factorization, and relatively prime numbers to solve problems,” and for students in grades 9-12 to “use number theory arguments to justify relationships involving whole numbers.” This talk will look at a problem from pre-algebra that an undergraduate number theory student would recognize as a Chinese Remainder Theorem problem. The talk will analyze the connections between solution methods appropriate to middle schoolers and those appropriate to undergraduates.

Tuesday, 6 February 2007 4:10 p.m. in Math 109

Spring 2007 Colloquium Schedule         Mathematical Sciences | The University of Montana