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Why do we have mathematics in school? - Page 4

Blogs > kineSiS-
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tomatriedes
Profile Blog Joined January 2007
New Zealand5356 Posts
October 15 2010 09:28 GMT
#61
I have a feeling this OP doesn't really want a debate- he wants someone to say the answer that he's already decided is the 'right' answer.
EtherealDeath
Profile Blog Joined July 2007
United States8366 Posts
October 15 2010 10:04 GMT
#62
On October 15 2010 15:59 semantics wrote:
Show nested quote +
On October 15 2010 15:26 Disregard wrote:
Discrete math for Computer Science/Engineering bleh...

I rather have my linear algebra with it's sexy matrices.

As for math in liberal arts. The ability to derive equations based off data and observations is integral to understanding how to keep yourself in a fiscally responsible situation. Although with encouraging the students into using critical thinking, which if one can think and ask questions and verify things all things critical to journalism which is in liberal arts or writing which is also in liberal arts. Even painting and graphic design all has roots with math. How do you know keep certain ratios and things known to be ascetically appealing., though statistics and science all which have strong roots in math.

If you ever were going to understand something not just do something math will help you =p


Mmm matrices, what would I ever do without them. Use Dirac notation I guess.

On October 15 2010 15:23 alffla wrote:
FUCK I HATE MATH.

well i love trig and geometry and stuff rolf but other than that anythign more complicated i start to lose interest.. >_>


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bra-ket_notation

I bet I could make you enjoy the complicated looking math in there within a week! The problem with how math is presented in many cases (and I like math) is that there is no motivating force behind it - it's just here is this and that and there and blah blah blah, which I must say is boring as fuck and would not grab my attention. And I like math, so that's saying something.

Or, I could answer the question of why tensor products with composite states (ok not that short and dirty, but threads are threads), and why define a unitary operator? with conservation of probability and its relation to real measurements - real quantum gates, and so on. Imho it's a lot easier to learn a certain subset of math when it has direct impact and use on a subject which on a higher level you have deep interest in. That's why learning all the math surrounding quantum is easy for me - the math is motivated by the quantum which is motivated by quantum computing/information.
Thereisnosaurus
Profile Blog Joined February 2010
Australia1822 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-10-15 10:26:11
October 15 2010 10:18 GMT
#63
if it hasn't already come up, this is a very enlightening piece on some of the issues with math education right now, by an extremely well regarded teacher and mathematician. It's definitely worth the read for those of you who hated math ^^

https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http://www.maa.org/devlin/LockhartsLament.pdf

for the record this is a systematic demolition of pretty much every defence of the mathematics curriculum in both linear argument and pseudosocratic dialogue. It's a thing of beauty that will bring tears to your eyes. You should read it.
Poisonous Sheep counter Hydras
Suc
Profile Blog Joined January 2009
Australia1569 Posts
October 15 2010 12:52 GMT
#64
iirc it has something to do with the Cold War and how the pure sciences were mass taught in schools so that each side could out technologise (is that a word??) each other. The trend carried through and created many jobs and has become acceptable as common subjects nowadays.

Okay, okay I kind of bsed that last line, but I believe my first statement is fairly accurate.
Reflex
Profile Joined March 2007
Canada703 Posts
October 15 2010 15:36 GMT
#65
Why we need math in school:
Cloud
Profile Blog Joined November 2004
Sexico5880 Posts
October 15 2010 23:09 GMT
#66
Some math courses are completely unnecessary. Differential equations for software engineers? I think they're more like a tradition than anything. Yes they help you think and abstract and whatever but for some areas there are better problems to be solved that make you think and abstract and are actually related to your area. Some of those courses are just like having a sudoku solving class, that while cool and hard and whatever, isn't really applicable.
BlueLaguna on West, msg for game.
semantics
Profile Blog Joined November 2009
10040 Posts
October 16 2010 00:08 GMT
#67
On October 16 2010 00:36 Reflex wrote:
Why we need math in school:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zN9LZ3ojnxY

I think this is why people need to write down units.
illu
Profile Blog Joined December 2008
Canada2531 Posts
October 16 2010 00:41 GMT
#68
Mathematics is really important. Mathematics is the foundation and tool of science and scientific methods.

You also use mathematics in everyday life.
:]
rushz0rz
Profile Blog Joined February 2006
Canada5300 Posts
October 16 2010 00:42 GMT
#69
I honestly believe Calculus 1 and 2 should be mandatory subjects in University, just like English.
IntoTheRainBOw fan~
Yurebis
Profile Joined January 2009
United States1452 Posts
October 16 2010 04:43 GMT
#70
The question of "why should we have x" is misguided. It is implicit that there needs to be a collective decision in what everyone gets. But in education specially, this isn't and can't be a collective action, for if the student wants to, he will never learn x, even if it were required by law.

Education isn't some object a central planner can easily regulate, like how many seatbelts a car has, or the concentration of fluoride in the water. No, it is much more personal, something that should be left for the student, and its parents whilst a minor. Not just because it's the most moral path, but also the most pragmatic for the purpose of specialization, and therefore superior wealth in society.
Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Jyvblamo
Profile Blog Joined June 2006
Canada13788 Posts
October 16 2010 05:42 GMT
#71
Horrible OP, but Math is frickin' sweet. I am always amazed that our savanna-adapted monkey brains can grapple with such elegance and abstraction.
PetitCrabe
Profile Blog Joined September 2010
Canada410 Posts
October 16 2010 22:18 GMT
#72
Math is to physics what masturbation is to sex : it is more direct, no bullshit, but it lacks the passion and substance :D
floor exercise
Profile Blog Joined August 2008
Canada5847 Posts
October 16 2010 22:57 GMT
#73
Boblion
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
France8043 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-10-16 23:01:48
October 16 2010 23:00 GMT
#74
nvm misread :O
fuck all those elitists brb watching streams of elite players.
Galois
Profile Blog Joined August 2010
United States124 Posts
Last Edited: 2010-10-16 23:34:06
October 16 2010 23:30 GMT
#75
[image loading]

[image loading]
It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you / There's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do
jon arbuckle
Profile Blog Joined November 2009
Canada443 Posts
October 16 2010 23:50 GMT
#76
I keep coming back to this OP and smacking my gob at how + Show Spoiler +
[image loading]
it is.

By now no one takes this seriously anymore and nobody cares, but the irony in anyone asking how mathematics entered the liberal arts historically and then huffing about the effort being put into their posts must be pointed out for me to be able to type a few pages about Mary Wollstonecraft.
Mondays
koreasilver
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
9109 Posts
October 17 2010 00:34 GMT
#77
On October 15 2010 18:28 tomatriedes wrote:
I have a feeling this OP doesn't really want a debate- he wants someone to say the answer that he's already decided is the 'right' answer.

You're irrelevant. Get out of this thread.
jalstar
Profile Blog Joined September 2009
United States8198 Posts
October 17 2010 03:36 GMT
#78
Algebra is directly useful in a small minority of jobs, yet it's required to get a high-school diploma. If not everyone can understand algebra and more jobs require a diploma than require algebra, do you see the problem? (hint: do the math)

Math up to algebra should be required though, I agree.
Squeegy
Profile Joined October 2009
Finland1166 Posts
October 17 2010 12:16 GMT
#79
On October 15 2010 15:18 Uranium wrote:
Are you serious? Everything IS math. Our own existence could be described perfectly (in theory) using only mathematical functions, thereby proving that WE ARE MATH. MATH IS REAL.

English is purely an invention of our own and not a "rudimentary subject" as you call it. Math is the most elementary subject and everything that you can possibly imagine is actually just math in some form or another.


I don't think the socks I'm wearing right now are math and I am sure your math professor would agree. But if you did mean that everything - except you there - follows the laws of logic, then yeah, that's true. But it doesn't mean everything is logic. My socks for example aren't. They're a type of clothing.
Stan: Dude, dolphins are intelligent and friendly. Cartman: Intelligent and friendly on rye bread with some mayonnaise.
floor exercise
Profile Blog Joined August 2008
Canada5847 Posts
October 17 2010 12:29 GMT
#80
On October 17 2010 21:16 Squeegy wrote:
Show nested quote +
On October 15 2010 15:18 Uranium wrote:
Are you serious? Everything IS math. Our own existence could be described perfectly (in theory) using only mathematical functions, thereby proving that WE ARE MATH. MATH IS REAL.

English is purely an invention of our own and not a "rudimentary subject" as you call it. Math is the most elementary subject and everything that you can possibly imagine is actually just math in some form or another.


I don't think the socks I'm wearing right now are math and I am sure your math professor would agree. But if you did mean that everything - except you there - follows the laws of logic, then yeah, that's true. But it doesn't mean everything is logic. My socks for example aren't. They're a type of clothing.

How many socks are you wearing? One on the left foot, one on the right foot?

1 + 1 = 2

Math bro
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