What is mathematics?
I
have encountered this question several times in my life and answered in many
different ways which precisely goes as it is abstract science of number,
quantity, and space, measurements, sets and operators. Yet this is not all what I wanted to cover
for this question. So I have my informal way of answering as follows.
Mathematics
is an unknown city to be traveled by newly arrived traveler. The
guide(teacher) for the traveler speaks in a new language of not so familiar
notations, terminologies, diagrams and symbols.
Why do we learn mathematics?
In
order to live a meaningful life in this world one has to learn basics of
mathematics. This would allow us to reach a destination in time, to prioritise
works to be completed in orderly manner.
At
the same time to explore natural and experimental sciences mathematicians
introduced advance mathematics courses. To study architecture, design,
astronomy one needs to have very good knowledge of mathematics. Hence the influence of mathematics cannot be avoided, so
it has to be learned.
A student who is competent in
mathematics.
A
competent student (in mathematics) is
someone understands the reasoning, computes proficiently, applies knowledge to
tackle new situations and involves himself
in order to explore mathematics. He does not accept what has been
offered unless it makes sense to him.
A teacher who is effective in helping students learn mathematics.
An effective
mathematics teacher is one who sees everything from students point of view and who is aware of the background knowledge of his pupil. Teacher becomes effective
as he comes across learners. He closely establishes connection with the learner
and caters with learners of all abilities through differentiated instructions.
An effective
teacher brings essence of the topic to be explained at the start by introducing
something which is familiar to the learner. Instead of giving a direct answer
he leads to the answer through asking series of guided questions.
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