RPN calcs should be a teacher’s recommendation

[floppy]

(11-08-2022 12:48 AM)Matt Agajanian Wrote:  Hi all.

Had a thought:

Since order of operations is the foundation of mathematics, I’d think that since it’s so vital, teachers would strongly recommend RPN calculators because it forces the students to understand how order of operations works.

For example, since an RPN calculator does not carry out the hierarchy and manual problem statement and entry are key, it challenges students to enter the calculation in the manner in which order of operations dictates.

Plus, since calculations are immediately returned, the student can see where the mistakes were made. And with Last X, a student can recover from mistakes and either start over or pick up where they left off and try to enter the calculation in which order of operations dictates.

In addition, RPN also structures learning about using parentheses and how they affect calculation evaluation.

Forces? I understand what you mean but we should say "mission" the people, convince or explain.
We should overtake the role of explaining a RPN calculator. And we should overtake that task from the teacher (my opinion).
a) identify the target age (my first RPN was at approx 15; before only +-/= if I remember). If the calculator is expensive, then important money-stakeholders (parents, grand-parents) must be convinced or some arguments for them must be listed. = Target from 14 on and explanation for the investors in the family?
b) start a documentation explaining the 2 different systems "()=" and "RDN ENTER". Maximum 10 pages
c) give advice where it could be interesting to start RPN
d) at the end the manufacturer manual should be readen carefully
e) during start of the year in the school, go for 30min to the parent meeting and ask for 30min in a school course (go through the 10 pages, show the calculators, give the presentation to the children).

I have done it for a linux install on older PC. Took weeks of preparation/documentation.