What is our achievement after 17 years in our Math Text books? When we could not find the Math symbol in the global Text book all over the world but it has widely used in our new Math Text book as it had been using for last 17 years in our Math Text book.It is one but the main reason of Math anxiety and Math Phobia of our students. Math text books have been changed after 17 years but the meaning less symbol, too many definitions and almost all old problems have remained same in the new text books. But the text book authorities are expecting that students will give creative answers in JSC Math next years.
Moreover, easy definitions are not used in the new text books and are still using the previous ones which are clumsy for the students and as well as for the teachers.
The new text book definition for the proportion from the grade VII Math book at the page 17 is given below: Of the four quantities, if the ratio of first and second quantity and the ratio of third and fourth quantity are equal to each other, then the four quantities form a proportion. Each quantity of proportion is called proportional.
The simple definition is: A proportion states that two ratios are equal. Example, using equal sign: ½ = 2/4 But the symbol widely used in the new text book is ½ ::2/4 which is meaning less to students and also not using across the world.
From the new text book of grade VII at page 18 is stated as : In proportion the symbol ‘: :’is used instead of the symbol ‘=’ . So, we can write 25 : 10 : : 50 : 20.
The symbol is also used for the proportion problems.
In addition, scale drawing, very important, was in the VII grade curriculum but left in the new curriculum.
Math expert and concerned authorities are requested to use simple definition though understanding is important rather given definition and use symbol that is use globally to make math more interesting and meaning full to all of us.
Mawduda Hasnin
Raninagar
Rajshahi
