Using Q&A to Enhance
Learning
By:
Nazaret Dermendjian, Ph. D., P.E.
Study of Polynomials
1. Traditional Approach
2. Solve Problems with values for a and b
Disadvantages
 Very repetitious
 Student has no clue how and where to
use
 Objective not well defined ( what are the
applications)
 Not inductive
 Will forget after the final
Q&A Approach
 Question:
what is 7.52 ?
The standard answer by the student is:
“I do not have my calculator with me”
Follow up question:
“Do you need a calculator to perform this?”
Q&A Approach
Question:
What is 7x8?
Answer 56.
Now, let’s review (a+b)2 ….
(a+b)2 = a2 + 2ab +b2
Q&A Approach
What if b is 1/2
(a+ ½ )2 = a2 + 2a( ½ ) +( ½ )2
= a2 + a +1/4
= a(a+1) +1/4
Now, 7.52 = (7 + ½ )2 = 7x8 +1/4 = 56.25
Do you still need a calculator?
Q&A Approach
Questions:
what are:
3.52
4.52
5.52
9.52
Q&A Approach
How can we use (a-b)(a+b) in the same
manner?
Let’s do 7.5 X 8.5
Remember
(a - b)(a +b) = a2 -b2
Q&A Approach
Note:
7.5 x 8.5 = (8 - 0.5)(8 + 0.5)
= 82 - 0.52
= 64 - 0.25
= 63.75
What is 7.5 X 9.5?
Q&A Approach
7.5 x 9.5 = (8.5 – 1)(8.5 + 1)
= 8.52 – 12
Now, 8.52 = 8 x 9 +1/4 = 72.25
and therefore,
7.5 x 9.5 = 71.25
Advantages
Applications are well defined
Unique approach
Students will remember (they will be
impressing their friends)
No sleeping in class and lecture time
(more questions are asked to students that
have the sleepy eyes)
It is fun and you have their attention
Thank you!
Any Questions? 