Stephanie Jimenez

October 12, 2015

Math 207
Journal 3
The distance formula and the Pythagorean theorem are in fact the same. They

relate because they can both give you the same answer it is just re-state different.

For example, the distance formula is helpful when they give you the points on axis.

This is why the formula has (x,y) but the Pythagorean theorem is also useful to find

the distance in a side. So, the distance formula is taking the distance from each side

and squaring it, which is the same thing the Pythagorean theorem is doing, they both

are finding the hypotenuse.

In K-12th grade, I was NEVER taught why we use formulas and where do the

formulas come from. I was ALWAYS given the formula and was told to memorize

them. When it came to the test, it was hard for me to know what formula to use

because there was so many of them. Getting a deeper understanding of the formulas

help you now when to use them, and what exactly youre looking for instead of

memorizing and plugging in numbers.

We are always told, there is no real right answer and in the U.S when it

comes to math there is always a RIGHT ANSWER, and we are programed to think

that way. The idea that they have in Japan is great, and I am all for it. All students

learn different and they interpret information differently. One might be more visual

while another student like formulas, but they both get the answer correct, therefore

they have different methods and can explain their work, which means they are

learning. Versus memorizing formulas and using them but once the test is over, these

formulas are forgotten and nothing was really learned.