Re: [Edu-sig] what is a "variable" in Python?

encounter in the future.  Just my 2c.  Gary Litvin www.skylit.com   At 02:15 PM 2/15/2016, you wrote: The short answer is that I agree with you. In fact, the link you shared is an example of my favourite incorrect mental model, which even prompted me to post this rant https://learnpython.

[Edu-sig] CS contest for grades 3-5

spread the word to elementary school teachers you know. More info and the registration form at http://www.continentalmathematicsleague.com/applications/computer.pdf or http://www.skylit.com/cml35.html. Gary Litvin ___ Edu-sig mailing list Edu

Re: [Edu-sig] Looking for a course syllabus exemplars for a high school year-long course in Python/Javascript

Roberto, Thank you for recommending our Math and Python book, but your amazon link is to the old edition. The current edition is at http://www.amazon.com/Mathematics-Digital-Age-Programming-Python/dp/0982477546, also available at www.skylit.com. Gary Litvin At 04:47 AM 2/20/2014, roberto

Re: [Edu-sig] Fibonacci Numbers and Phi (again)

to bring in more advanced tools. Gary Litvin www.skylit.com At 11:08 AM 11/23/2013, kirby urner wrote: On Fri, Nov 22, 2013 at 9:49 PM, Litvin mailto:lit...@skylit.comlit...@skylit.com wrote: Kirby, I am sorry to spoil all the fun, but this is a not a gem but a mathematical trick, and I think

Re: [Edu-sig] Fibonacci Numbers and Phi (again)

- 4*sqrt(5) F[1] = (-8 - 3 + 5*sqrt(5))/2 = (-11+5sqrt(5))/2 Easy to verify that F0*phi = F1, so, indeed, b = 0 and F[n] is a geometric sequence. Also, phi^6 = 9 + 4*sqrt(5), so F[0]*phi^6 = 1 and a = F[0] = phi^(-6). You get F[n] = phi^(n-6). Gary Litvin www.skylit.com At 10:04 PM 11/22

Re: [Edu-sig] generate digits of pi

Or just replace while d == d1: with while d == d1 and n 0: Gary Litvin www.skylit.com At 11:54 PM 12/23/2012, da...@handysoftware.com wrote: Here's an easier, pythonic way to limit the number of digits, given the original, non-terminating pi generator: import itertools

Re: [Edu-sig] dot notation (in favor of sharing it)

At 10:08 AM 10/26/2012, michel paul wrote: Yesterday I was involved in a math education group at my school where an example suggested for introducing 'function' was 'toast'. Basically, you put bread into the toaster, and magic/technology happens out comes toast! So 'toasting' is a function.

[Edu-sig] MemoryError?

Can someone please explain why n = 5000 lst = [i for i in range(n)] # or xrange(n) in Python 2 crashes with MemoryError on a 32-bit system, while n = 5000 lst = n*[0] for i in range(n): # or xrange(n) in Python 2 lst[i] = i works? Thanks, Gary Litvin www.skylit.com

Re: [Edu-sig] Python and pre-algebra

Mary, I think elements of Python programming would fit very nicely with fractions, probability and all the number sense topics you listed (as well as problem solving strategies). Gary Litvin www.skylit.com At 09:43 AM 7/1/2011, mary.do...@comcast.net wrote: Thank you to everyone who has

Re: [Edu-sig] egyptian fractions...

+ 2 + 4 == 5/11 = 40/88 = 1/8 + 1/4 + 1/88 + 1/44 + 1/22. The number of fractions in this method does not exceed the number of proper divisors of Q, which is 2n+1 which is less than 2 * log[base 2](q) + 1 -- not too bad. The denominators of the fractions are below q^2. Gary Litvin

Re: [Edu-sig] AP Computer Science

Zac, I do not teach AP CS or Python, but, as you know, my wife, Maria Litvin, does teach both, and we have co-authored popular AP CS textbooks and AP prep books since 1997. When AP CS switched from C++ to Java/OOP in 2004, it took the College Board over three years from the decision

Re: [Edu-sig] 'discovery learning' with Python...

Thanks to both! Gary Litvin At 10:08 PM 10/9/2010, kirby urner wrote: That's cool. I was hoping my bold assertion of being almost alone on the front lines would inspire protests from my comrades. Kirby On Sat, Oct 9, 2010 at 6:35 PM, Calcpage calcp...@aol.com wrote: I've been selling python

Re: [Edu-sig] class notes (post facto)

doesn't seem to do += for lists in place. Gary Litvin ___ Edu-sig mailing list Edu-sig@python.org http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/edu-sig

Re: [Edu-sig] Updating some more...

Litvin www.skylit.com ___ Edu-sig mailing list Edu-sig@python.org http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/edu-sig

Re: [Edu-sig] Could there be a new test, call it AP something else?

, the transition from C++ to Java wasn't nearly as difficult, with both languages being object-oriented and sharing common syntax. Jim Huggins, Kettering University, Flint MI Gary Litvin www.skylit.com ___ Edu-sig mailing list Edu-sig@python.org http

Re: [Edu-sig] Could there be a new test, call it AP something else?

, because it is not widely taught in schools yet. Does a contest specifically for Python programmers exist? Is it feasible? Gary Litvin www.skylit.com ___ Edu-sig mailing list Edu-sig@python.org http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/edu-sig

[Edu-sig] Could there be a new test, call it AP something else?

want to study. Or could there be a new test, call it AP something else? Several years ago, Maria (Litvin) asked a high-ranking College Board person whether AP Discrete Mathematics was a possibility. The answer was absolutely no. The main reason was that the College Board was looking for ways

[Edu-sig] Math and Python: level of difficulty

At 04:12 AM 1/24/2010, kirby urner wrote: Back to the Litvin text, which has a lot going for it, I think it might be too difficult for some of the students we're hoping to reach. Phillips Academy is one of the most prestigious, reminiscent of Catlin Gabel or Oregon Episcopal in our neck