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Math...
What is math?
Some define it to be a jumble of numbers with confusing orders of operations and tiring algebra...
However, I'd like to put it more eloquently and define it in one word. Math is an art...
However, it is necessary not to stray from the main point of contention that will be discussed today and for possibly many days and weeks from this point on.
Why is Mathematics in school?
It's a waste of time some say, others argue its intriguing.
Personally, I think Math is an important and essential subject within the school curriculum. It's a rudimentary subject that seems so simple when first discovered, like a book's first page, is actually complex and intricate with connections intertwined throughout the whole being that it is.
First of all, it is necessary that we learn. By removing a subject from the school curriculum, it's obvious that we are learning less and therefore it is a detriment to our overall bank of knowledge.
Secondly, it is useful in life. Everyday, math is involved, the number of sections of the sidewalk on your block, or the intricate structure of the skyscraper you saw commuting to work... Math is a fundamental subject, and not only essential it is so much more than just a practicality.
Math is art. Theories created by great minds enrapture young and budding students that wish to learn. Physics, Economics, so many more subjects revolve around math or utilize math in such a manner that it is vital.
And to stop here, I wish to let my fellow people discuss this subject. I have discussed why Math is a necessity in order to localize the more broad and open question...
Why do we have mathematics in school?
EDIT:
So I think I haven't made my question quite clear. Here's what I mean:
On October 15 2010 15:14 mieda wrote:
More clarification/verification please:
Do you mean how did Mathematics enter liberal arts education historically? Or do you want to discuss "Why should we have mathematics in liberal arts?"
And maybe you left the question, "What do you think math is?" intentionally vague and very open-ended just to get aimless first responses from people here. I assure you, if you leave the question "What is purpose of math?" as it is, then you're going to get tons of trolling responses.
In order to set boundaries, and working in conjunction with Mieda, I ask this question....
How did Mathematics enter liberal arts education historically?
If you lack the historical background in order to answer this question with comprehension and cognizance, then I also ask this...
Why should we have Mathematics in Liberal Arts?
I also would hope that a sort of quid pro quo would be established here, that the effort put into my response would be put into yours.
  
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cuz its instrumental for a large number of majors and if you take it out of the curriculum those degrees and jobs would be impossible and society would collapse and the options for career paths would be considerably smaller?
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haha what a grandstanding OP.
Math is a useful as a tool in a bunch of fields like you said. Are you expecting someone to disagree with you?
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On October 15 2010 14:59 mOnion wrote:
cuz its instrumental for a large number of majors and if you take it out of the curriculum those degrees and jobs would be impossible and society would collapse and the options for career paths would be considerably smaller?
Ah, please, let's try to avoid practicality and go into depth with other aspects of this question.
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Fundamentals of math apply in everything.
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On October 15 2010 15:02 kineSiS- wrote:Show nested quote +On October 15 2010 14:59 mOnion wrote:
cuz its instrumental for a large number of majors and if you take it out of the curriculum those degrees and jobs would be impossible and society would collapse and the options for career paths would be considerably smaller? Ah, please, let's try to avoid practicality and go into depth with other aspects of this question.
I really don't think you can dramatize something like this. should we also discuss the reasoning behind having lunch in school other than the whole "need food to survive" thing?
i dont understand what you want to discuss...
like the emotional aspects of math?
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On October 15 2010 14:57 kineSiS- wrote:
Why do we have mathematics in school?
We don't, we just have the jumble of numbers you mentioned. Math is far more interesting than what they teach in school (in the US, at least).
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math is the language of the universe
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On October 15 2010 15:06 SonuvBob wrote:Show nested quote +On October 15 2010 14:57 kineSiS- wrote:
Why do we have mathematics in school? We don't, we just have the jumble of numbers you mentioned. Math is far more interesting than what they teach in school (in the US, at least).
Ah I updated the OP, as it seems that it wasn't clear enough.
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On October 15 2010 15:04 mOnion wrote:Show nested quote +On October 15 2010 15:02 kineSiS- wrote:On October 15 2010 14:59 mOnion wrote:
cuz its instrumental for a large number of majors and if you take it out of the curriculum those degrees and jobs would be impossible and society would collapse and the options for career paths would be considerably smaller? Ah, please, let's try to avoid practicality and go into depth with other aspects of this question. I really don't think you can dramatize something like this. should we also discuss the reasoning behind having lunch in school other than the whole "need food to survive" thing? i dont understand what you want to discuss... like the emotional aspects of math?
So you think Math is just a subject? It seems you fail the realize the depth of what it actually is!
There is no "dramatization" going on, it is merely discussing a question. And to be philosophical, to argue, to debate, to discuss that's what I want to do.
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On October 15 2010 15:02 kineSiS- wrote:Show nested quote +On October 15 2010 14:59 mOnion wrote:
cuz its instrumental for a large number of majors and if you take it out of the curriculum those degrees and jobs would be impossible and society would collapse and the options for career paths would be considerably smaller? Ah, please, let's try to avoid practicality and go into depth with other aspects of this question.
so you want a circle jerk about how much Tlers like math? Half your OP is just adjectives describing beauty being applied to math.
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On October 15 2010 15:09 Babel wrote:Show nested quote +On October 15 2010 15:02 kineSiS- wrote:On October 15 2010 14:59 mOnion wrote:
cuz its instrumental for a large number of majors and if you take it out of the curriculum those degrees and jobs would be impossible and society would collapse and the options for career paths would be considerably smaller? Ah, please, let's try to avoid practicality and go into depth with other aspects of this question. so you want a circle jerk about how much Tlers like math? Half your OP is just adjectives describing beauty being applied to math.
Ah as said earlier, I updated the OP.
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This sums up my feelings on the subject quite nicely. In my high school at least, we never even talked about "proof" or why we were doing what we were. The beauty of the subject is lost amid the demands of a confused and poorly thought out curriculum.
On October 15 2010 15:06 SonuvBob wrote:Show nested quote +On October 15 2010 14:57 kineSiS- wrote:
Why do we have mathematics in school? We don't, we just have the jumble of numbers you mentioned. Math is far more interesting than what they teach in school (in the US, at least).
it's like this in Canada too.
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I think math is an excellent way to develop your logic. In fact, I would argue that math, much more than any other subject is how one becomes acquainted with the process of reasoning and deduction.
Also, why does this suspiciously smell like homework?
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What is math's purpose?
What is science's purpose?
What is language's purpose?
To be used to better mankind, no more, no less.
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On October 15 2010 15:11 aliasds wrote:
I think math is an excellent way to develop your logic. In fact, I would argue that math, much more than any other subject is how one becomes acquainted with the process of reasoning and deduction.
Also, why does this suspiciously smell like homework?
since mathematics is an extension of formal logic, this follows naturally.
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More clarification/verification please:
Do you mean how did Mathematics enter liberal arts education historically? Or do you want to discuss "Why should we have mathematics in liberal arts?"
And maybe you left the question, "What do you think math is?" intentionally vague and very open-ended just to get aimless first responses from people here. I assure you, if you leave the question "What is purpose of math?" as it is, then you're going to get tons of trolling responses.
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On October 15 2010 15:11 Cube wrote:This sums up my feelings on the subject quite nicely. In my high school at least, we never even talked about "proof" or why we were doing what we were. The beauty of the subject is lost amid the demands of a confused and poorly thought out curriculum. Show nested quote +On October 15 2010 15:06 SonuvBob wrote:On October 15 2010 14:57 kineSiS- wrote:
Why do we have mathematics in school? We don't, we just have the jumble of numbers you mentioned. Math is far more interesting than what they teach in school (in the US, at least). it's like this in Canada too.
However, I feel like that wasn't what I meant with the question, I did clarify, I hope you can readjust your response according.
And sonuvbob... that was not my intention, I never applied a blanket statement on Mathematics as being a "jumble of numbers".
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Math is the language of the universe.
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On October 15 2010 15:11 aliasds wrote:
I think math is an excellent way to develop your logic. In fact, I would argue that math, much more than any other subject is how one becomes acquainted with the process of reasoning and deduction.
Also, why does this suspiciously smell like homework?
Detective at work!
I think math gives meanings to certain characters we call numbers. Did I make any sense there?
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EPT
