Don't know much trigonometryDon't know much about algebraDon't know what a slide rule is forWonderful World - Sam Cooke Why should you read this article? You shouldn’t unless you want to become a lifelong learner. If you are a lifelong learner, you are to be commended. If you are not, then you should be commended... Continue Reading →
Editorials
Are you suggesting coconuts migrate? or Where in the world did mathematics come from? (Part 2)
Introduction In the previous article, we looked at the following periods in the development of mathematics. The Babylonians (ca. 1900 to 1600 BCE) The Egyptians (ca. 3000 BCE to 332 BCE) The Greeks (ca. 6 BCE to 4 CE) Middle Ages, the Islamic Golden Age (ca. 8 CE to 13 CE) We observed how the... Continue Reading →
How does a smiling mask on my college ring denote mathematics?
The smiling mask associated with math often symbolizes the idea that math can be both enjoyable and rewarding. Here are a few reasons why this imagery is used: Positive Attitude: The mask reflects a positive approach to math, encouraging students to see it as a fun and engaging subject rather than something intimidating. Gamification: Math... Continue Reading →
Are you suggesting coconuts migrate? or Where in the world did mathematics come from? (Part 1)
Introduction Studying history often involves reading unengaging textbooks, attending monotonous lectures, and memorizing a vast amount of facts, dates, and places that may not seem relevant to students. But is history really boring? No! The subject itself isn't uninteresting; rather, it's the way history is taught that makes it feel that way. "As students learn... Continue Reading →
The Joy of Mathematics
“We are no longer the mathematicians who say Ni!We are now the mathematicians who say ekki-ekki-ekki-pitang-zoom-boing!”- The Knights Who Say Ni, Monty Python and the Holy Grail (with apologies) I was somewhat disturbed recently when I read three articles [1][2][AR6] about individuals who lost their joy of mathematics. Here are my thoughts about the joy... Continue Reading →
The Beauty of Mathematics
“Mathematics, rightly viewed, possesses not only truth, but supreme beauty – a beauty cold and austere, like that of sculpture, without appeal to any part of our weaker nature, without the gorgeous trappings of painting or music, yet sublimely pure, and capable of a stern perfection such as only the greatest art can show. The... Continue Reading →
50 Ways to Learn Arithmetic (with apologies to Paul Simon)
“The problem is all inside your head”She said to me“The answer is easy if youTake it logicallyI’d like to help you in your struggleTo be freeThere must be fifty waysTo learn arithmetic” [1] New Math? According to the song 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover: She said, “It grieves me soTo see you in such... Continue Reading →
If You Want To Be Successful at Mathematics …
"IF YOU WANT TO BE SUCCESSFUL, FIND SOMEONE WHO HAS ACHIEVED THE RESULTS YOU WANT AND COPY WHAT THEY DO, AND YOU'LL ACHIEVE THE SAME RESULTS." ~ TONY ROBBINS In his article, 7 Communication Tips for Data Scientists, Shaw Talebi states, "The following are the communication tips I use most often. Although I’m focusing on... Continue Reading →
My Math Teacher/Professor is Terrible at Explaining
I often hear people say, "My math teacher/professor is terrible at explaining."Why does this seem to happen in math classes much more often than other classes? Stolen from Rebecca T. Some people want to be told step by step how to solve a math problem. These people memorize steps but don’t really understand conceptually what... Continue Reading →
School’s Out
The sound of freedom! Or so some students think. School's out for summerSchool's out foreverSchool's been blown to pieces No more pencilsNo more booksNo more teacher's dirty looks Well we got no classAnd we got no principlesAnd we got no innocenceWe can't even think of a word that rhymesSchool's Out, Alice Cooper Rather than focus... Continue Reading →