A Lesson from Maths

 

One more instance of how different individuals think and learn differently.

 

A teacher teaching Maths to seven-year-old Arnav asked him, 'If I give you one apple and one apple and one apple, how many apples will you have?

 

'Within a few seconds Arnav replied confidently, 'Four!'

 

The dismayed teacher was expecting an effortless correct answer (three).

She was disappointed. 'Maybe the child did not listen properly,' she thought. She repeated, 'Arnav, listen carefully. If I give you one apple and one apple and one apple, how many apples will you have?'

 

Arnav had seen the disappointment on his teacher's face. He calculated again on his fingers. But within him he was also searching for the answer that will make the teacher happy. His search for the answer was not for the correct one, but the one that will make his teacher happy. This time hesitatingly he replied, 'Four...'

 

The disappointment stayed on the teacher's face. She remembered that Arnav liked strawberries. She thought maybe he doesn't like apples and that is making him loose focus. This time with an exaggerated excitement and twinkling in her eyes she asked, 'If I give you one strawberry and one strawberry and one strawberry, then how many you will have?'

 

Seeing the teacher happy, young Arnav calculated on his fingers again. There was no pressure on him, but a little on the teacher. She wanted her new approach to succeed. 

 

With a hesitating smile, young Arnav enquired, 'Three?'

 

The teacher now had a victorious smile. Her approach had succeeded. She wanted to congratulate herself. But one last thing remained. Once again she asked him, 'Now if I give you one apple and one apple and one more apple how many will you have?'

 

Promptly, Arnav answered, 'Four!'

 

The teacher was aghast. 'How Arnav, how?' she demanded in a little stern and irritated voice.

 

In a voice that was low and hesitating, young Arnav replied, 'Because I already have one apple in my bag.'

 

'When someone gives you an answer that is different from what you expect don't think they are wrong. There may be an angle that you have not thought of at all. You will have to listen and understand, and not listen with a predetermined notion.'

Always good to remember!

Quoting from [germex]:

Always good to remember!

Thanks Grandpa

different person have different thinking habit.

Thanks Aushu, you make me smile.

Quoting from [juanjuan2]:

different person have different thinking habit.

Thanks Aushu, you make me smile.

Her nickname is "Anshu", but Alibaba got that wrong on the Community page. There they called her "Aushu".

Quoting from [Anshu] 

When someone gives you an answer that is different from what you expect don't think they are wrong. There may be an angle that you have not thought of at all. You will have to listen and understand, and not listen with a predetermined notion.'

Thank you for your story

After reading the story, I feel a little sad . I just had a very small quarrel with my manager yesterday, maybe not quarrel it's more like the different opinions.It not a big problem but if it comes all the time.That would be enough to got me killed.

Thank you for reminding me of seeing things in different angles. I totally agree with that. Step back,and you will find this world become wider and broader.

I really want to share this story to my manager but I bet he would feel being insulted.I do not dare to try it especially with the price of losing my job

"CONCENSUS IS THE HORIZON THAT NEVER REACHED" FROM THE DEEPEST OF MY HEART

Quoting from [patty9703]:

Quoting from [Anshu]

When someone gives you an answer that is different from what you expect don't think they are wrong. There may be an angle that you have not thought of at all. You will have to listen and understand, and not listen with a predetermined notion.'

Thank you for your story

After reading the story, I feel a little sad . I just had a very small quarrel with my manager yesterday, maybe not quarrel it's more like the different opinions.It not a big problem but if it comes all the time.That would be enough to got me killed.

Thank you for reminding me of seeing things in different angles. I totally agree with that. Step back,and you will find this world become wider and broader.

I really want to share this story to my manager but I bet he would feel being insulted.I do not dare to try it especially with the price of losing my job

"CONCENSUS IS THE HORIZON THAT NEVER REACHED" FROM THE DEEPEST OF MY HEART

Great Patty, I am happy that you have got the great experience, just know that sweet and sour all are taste of life, this is the way. Don't worry about your manager, Just be in yourself, and forget the incidence.


My best wishes are with you.

Quoting from [Anshu]:

 'When someone gives you an answer that is different from what you expect don't think they are wrong. There may be an angle that you have not thought of at all. You will have to listen and understand, and not listen with a predetermined notion.'

Good story !!! I will remember that

different approach can be different action