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Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Right and Wrong
My child knew addition well
The formula down pat
She understood the concept
And could reckon simple math
I tested her on factors
"What's 2 x 2?" I asked
She quickly said, "It's 4, of course."
It seemed she had it grasped
"I didn't know you knew your times."
"Neither did I." was her reply
"Then how'd you get the answer right?"
"You've always said I'm very bright."
"Beginners luck! What's 4 x 4?"
She replied, "8. . . got any more."
I said, "I'm sorry dear--that's wrong."
"My answer's right." She said headstrong
"I know that 4 and 4 are 8."
"That's adding dear and that is great!"
"But multiplied they are 16"
She looked at me inquiring
"But 2 x 2 is 4 you said."
"I did it right inside my head."
"That's right but wrong" I then explained
"The way you get there's not the same."
So I taught her the difference
Between adding and multiplication
And that right answers can be wrong
Under certain situations
That knowing truth is more
Than parroting answers correctly
For how you deduce truth is proof
Of reasoning directly
Enlightenment can thus insure
Our future calculations
Till brick by brick the pieces click
In grander realizations
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