Devlin Does a Word Problem Right

Blogging for the Huffington Post, Keith Devlin argues for approaching mathematics word problems as you would problems encountered in the real world.

Situating his discussion in the context of a particular problem about keys on a key ring, Devlin writes:

If you stop yourself from switching off your common sense and going into math-class-mode, looking for the fastest way to put numbers into a formula and get a number out, and instead approach the problem for what it is, a straightforward question about a real-world situation, you will find yourself on a very different trajectory. A trajectory of thinking as opposed to (mindless) computing.

Read the post.