Ten Commandments of Mathematics for Students

(with apologies to the K.J.V.)







  1. Thou shalt read Thy problem.

  2. Whatsoever Thou doest to one side of ye equation, Do ye also to the other.

  3. Thou must use Thy "Common Sense", else Thou wilt have flagpoles 9,000 feet in height, yea ... even fathers younger than sons.

  4. Thou shalt ignore the teachings of false prophets to do work in Thy head.

  5. When Thou knowest not, Thou shalt look it up, and if Thy search still elude Thee, Then Thou shalt ask the all-knowing teacher.

  6. Thou shalt master each step before putting Thy heavy foot down on the next.

  7. Thy correct answer does not prove that Thou hast worked Thy problem correctly. This argument convincest none, least of all, Thy teacher.

  8. Thou shalt first see that Thou hast copied Thy problem correctly before bearing false witness that the answer book lieth.

  9. Thou shalt look back even unto Thy youth and remember Thy arithmetic.

  10. Thou shalt learn, speak, write, and listen correctly in the language of mathematics, and verily A's and B's shall follow Thee even unto graduation.




Send any comments or questions to: David Pleacher