ALGEBRA FOR SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES (CLASSIC REPRINT)

Excerpt from Algebra for Schools and CollegesAs it has frequently been a part of the authors duty to ascertain what is really left of a course of mathematical study in the minds of those who have been through college, some hints on the best methods of study in connection with the present work may be excused. If asked to point out the greatest error in our usual system of mathematical instruction from the common school upward, he would reply that it con sisted in expending too much of the mental power of the student upon problems and exercises above his capacity. With the exception of the fundamental routine-operations, problems and exercises should be confined to insuring a proper understanding of the principles involved