Ms. Math Diva

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Dear Readers,
Ms. Math Diva gives advice to teens about their math studies. This month, I answer three questions from around the country:

Dear Ms. Diva,
My math teacher is so clueless! Yesterday he told us "2" is an odd prime number. Everyone knows 2 is even! Should I change to another class?
Math-Whiz, AL

Dear M-W, No, stay with this teacher. He is challenging you to think. Odd has another meaning: unusual. So, he was telling you that 2 is unusual: it is the only even prime number!
Now, get back to your homework!
Ms. MD

Dear Ms. Diva,
I hope you can help me. Sometimes I do really well on homework and sometimes I can't get through the assignment. I can't see how they get the answers in the back of the book. Some aspects of math are much easier for me than others.
Math-A-Magician-Not, CA

Dear M-A-M-N, Teachers and textbooks aren't perfect. It may be that the material isn't always explained the best way for you to understand. That's why I recommend Hotmath.com—it lets you see how your homework problems are solved, step-by-step, when you feel a little lost. It may help you to remember the Diva's favorite saying: there are 3 kinds of people, those who are good at math, and those who aren't! See, even the Math Diva gets confused sometimes!
Ms. MD

Dear Ms. Diva,
I love your column but I hate math. Numbers are soooo boring.

Dear M-H, Well, it may surprise you to know that no numbers are boring, and I can prove it. Let's assume there are some boring numbers. Well, then there must be a smallest boring number, right? But that would be very interesting: the smallest boring number! So, using proof by contradiction I have shown that all numbers are interesting. Now, go do your homework (using Hotmath.com when you need help, of course!).

Sincerely,

Your faithful Math Diva

To submit your question, send an email to mathdiva@hotmath.com. Please just provide a "handle," no names please.