On Mathematics

By Dorai ThodlaTeaching

From the book What is Mathematics? A few interesting snippets from the Foreword and Introduction:

The teaching of mathematics has sometimes degenerated into empty drill in problem solving, which may develop formal ability but does not lead to real understanding or to greater intellectual independence.

Formal mathematics is like spelling and grammar—a matter of the correct application of local rules. Meaningful mathematics is like journalism—it tells an interesting story. Unlike some journalism, the story has to be true. The best mathematics is like literature—it brings a story to life before your eyes and involves you in it, intellectually and emotionally.

when I was about to be married, my father challenged my wife-to-be to read What Is Mathematics. She did not get far, but she was accepted into the family nonetheless.

Mathematics links the abstract world of mental concepts to the real world of physical things without being located completely in either.

So what do you need to get a great deal of pleasure and insight from the book? According to Ian Stuart:

You do need a modest attention span, an interest in mathematics for its own sake, and enough background not to feel out of your depth. High-school algebra, basic calculus, and trigonometric functions are enough, although a bit of Euclidean geometry helps.

Meta

Yesterday, I read a news item and tweeted it:

“American students lag behind most other nations in math skills: Only children from Italy and Spain performed worse” http://bit.ly/1ax7tht 
You keep hearing this often, not only about American students  but about other countries too. In India, when I talk to engineering students and ask how many of them are interested in Math, very few hands go up. What is going on? When I studied math over 50 years ago, it was not that hard. It was one of my favorite subjects. I had, of course, excellent Math teachers.
So what has changed? Are we teaching them poorly? Is the subject expanded to cover too much? Do we not provide them a context in which to learn?
I knew I had purchased a few books on Mathematics. I went searching my Kindle archives and found a couple of books . I decided to read a chapter every day, just to brush up. It was a subject I used to love but completely lost touch after graduating.
That is how this post is born. There will be more, as I progress through the book.

5 thoughts on “On Mathematics”

    1. Thanks Ankit. I just got started. I generally like books on Math and recently books from Ian Stuart (like Letters to a Young Mathematician).

      Dorai

      1. Sir, It really gives me a lot of inspiration. A man of your stature still understands the value of knowledge. Maybe for few people enough is not enough.

  2. Pingback: Span | NerdlyPainter

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