Logical Reasoning

PT121 · S1 · Q7 Enthusiasm for the use of

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Enthusiasm for the use of calculators in the learning of mathematics is misplaced.

Conclusion (therefore)

People are too enthused about using calculators to teach math / The use of calculators should be restricted to ensure students better retain mathematical principles through manual calculation.

Evidence

Students are more likely to remember mathematical principles when they learn through painstaking application and repetition—i.e., calculating by hand rather than using calculators.

Evaluate

The author suggests that calculators hinder retention of principles, so strengthening answers might emphasize the importance of manual calculation for retention or downplay the benefits of calculators.

Goal

Identify an answer choice that emphasizes manual calculation's role in retaining mathematical principles or underscores the importance of retention over the convenience provided by calculators.

7.

Which one of the following, if true, most strengthens the argument?

  1. Some students who know how

    Weakens

    This states that some students using calculators also understand the principles, which undermines the argument against calculator use by showing that calculators don't necessarily impede learning.

    3% picked this

  2. Slide rules, which are less

    No Impact

    This hints that slide rules were used before calculators despite their limitations. It doesn't address the effectiveness of manual calculation vs. calculator use or the retention of principles, so it has no direct impact.

    1% picked this

  3. Correct

    It is much more important

    Why this is right

    This suggests that retaining knowledge is more important than merely acquiring it, reinforcing the argument that calculators, which hinder retention, should be limited. It emphasizes the downside of calculators by assigning greater value to the learning outcome that calculators supposedly compromise.

    Skill tested: Strengthen · how this choice captures the argument's function is the move to repeat next time.

    85% picked this

  4. Habits that are acquired by

    Weakens

    This highlights that calculations done with practice (potentially manually) are less valuable than those mastered painlessly (potentially with calculators), which goes against the argument for restricting calculator use.

    5% picked this

  5. Teachers’ enthusiasm for new educational

    Unclear Impact

    We don't know whether this is a case of teachers' having disproportional enthusiasm, and even if it is, this answer wouldn't tell us whether they are being more or less enthusiastic than they should be, based on the pedagogical (i.e. teaching) effectiveness of calculators.

    7% picked this

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