This is a narrative of a classroom episode in which students could see how mathematics can help someone avoid some common mistakes and take a right decision. A simple question involving ratios and simultaneous linear equations could do this with right learning strategy. Students were given a question to work on, and the discussion build on that as given below. A class was working on the following problem: A vendor makes two types of milkshakes using milk and syrup. The ratio of these two ingredients in two types of Shakes is given as - ShakeX, milk : syrup = 2 : 3   - ShakeO, milk : syrup = 3 : 4   He has 23 liters of milk and 31 liters of syrup.   How much of each shake should he prepare so that everything is used? The discussion went like:  We assume he prepares (x) liters of ShakeX and (y) liters of ShakeO,  It was noted: - Each shake consumes some milk and some syrup   - Total milk used must become 23 liters   - Total syrup used must become ...

  PanchTatva Based Learning Strategy The universe is made of five super elements namely Earth, Water, Fire, Space, and Air. These are popularly known as Kshitij, Jal, Pawak, Gagan and Sameera. When we live in alignment of these elements, life become blissful in all aspects. It holds true with Learning Strategy too.  Learning Strategies derived through these elements make learning effective, enjoyable and help students lead a successful life.  How do these elements translate to learning strategies? How do we implement them in our life? Let’s have a look at them. The first element is Earth. The strategy that comes from it suggests us to be grounded. Be connected with roots. Work on basics. Understand basic things deeply to gain advanced knowledge at higher levels. It is interesting to observe that most of the difficulties in learning at higher level are caused by poor understandings of basics. It is extremely useful to revisit basics to clear the hurdles at advanced le...

  Be Connected with Your Roots -- Back to Basics My parents used to take us to our village (ancestors house) and nearby quite often. The lesson was to be connected with the roots. Being with our own people there, listening to them, understanding their way of living, embracing their way of caring etc. used to create so many valuable memories that I still consider those experiences on the top of the list of valuable experiences. These memories provide new energy, new way of looking at various situations and help in understanding the nuances of various challenges in life better. This doesn't mean that one should leave his present projects of life and go back to the roots. But, going back to the roots (physically or mentally) provides such understandings that helps in handling present challenges better. We take few examples from Cricket and Mathematics to substantiate it. Here, being connected with roots translates to going back to the basics.     The same applies everywhere....

  Be in Good Company This article is based on some of the advises given by my father during my school days. The motivation to write this came while seeing a 50 years old photo captured in his camera. Due to privacy reason, I have modified that photo using AI and shared it here. Happy faces in that photo seem to be in good company and enjoying their moments. It can be felt that the kind of positive energy it generates can make challenging tasks look easy.     When it comes to study, being in good company doesn't mean about school, teachers and friends only, but it also includes books, other learning resources and the questions that one practices. You may not have much choices while selecting school, teachers or friends but selection of books, other learning resources and questions for practice are completely in your control. A good company makes study enjoying, helps in setting and achieving right goals, facilitates deep and long lasting learning and leads to a satisfying ...