The question, "What is math?" is difficult to answer. Mathematics is a number of things. Many see it strictly as solving number problems, but there is much more to it as a whole. It includes explanation, critical thinking, problem solving, logic, organization, and the list can go on and on. It also varies from person to person. Everyone perceives math in a different retrospect. The reason that makes it so broad is its development over the years. With each discovery, an additional view was tacked onto the idea of math and we are still discovering new aspects of it today. From the discovery of pi to the discovery of the different functions, there are many different categories that fall under math.
I have taken various math course over the past four years that have all given me new ideas of what math may be. Going into education has given the opportunity to learn math in a way that will allow me to teach it, so I had to dive in to the roots of it all to gain the correct understanding. Now, when I say correct understanding I am speaking solely for myself because others will probably not understand math how I do; we all think and learn differently. Between my mathematics courses and my mathematics education courses, I have practiced and experienced working with formulas, expressions, etc., but I have also learned how those are taught. Learning how something is taught is challenging, especially in math. It takes time, patience, and critical thinking. You have to know how and when to use prior knowledge to build on new information in the most logical way in order for your students to benefit and learn. Being able to know the idea, processes, and significance behind all math in a way that helps you teach others it takes a lot of focus and determination.
Top 5:
1. I believe that one of the most influential mathematicians was Sir Isaac Newton. He helped make large discoveries in the mathematics world that furthered the world's knowledge of what was. In math, he was known for the creation of calculus (my favorite!) and the Binomial Theorem. These advances that he discovered gave us tools that allowed other ideas to form that led to new information.
2. Following Newton, I would say is pi. Obviously, pi is a famous number known by all. However, they do not really understand the importance of it. Pi is simply a number, but this number expanded the knowledge and accuracy of many formulas and results. Also, I find it incredibly interesting that the exact number will never be known, it's mysterious.
3. The Pythagorean Theorem can be used for many different reasons, which gives it the significance. This theorem has helped solve the missing lengths in triangles and has helped us further our trigonometry. It has helped us find unknown lengths in many other shapes, too.
4. The Quadratic Formula is useful in so many aspects and helps later topics that will be discussed and taught. The formula is one of the most important, as a matter of fact, in algebra. It is used to solve ANY quadratic equation. I remember first using this formula and the challenges that I had, but once it clicked it helped me understand and perform algebra that much better.
5. The Unit circle can be used to investigate angles and lengths further. It helps expand your knowledge and keeps it organized around the x and y axis. You are able to use the unit circle while working with sine, cosine, and tangent. I was able to excel in trigonometry once the unit circle was introduced.
I have taken various math course over the past four years that have all given me new ideas of what math may be. Going into education has given the opportunity to learn math in a way that will allow me to teach it, so I had to dive in to the roots of it all to gain the correct understanding. Now, when I say correct understanding I am speaking solely for myself because others will probably not understand math how I do; we all think and learn differently. Between my mathematics courses and my mathematics education courses, I have practiced and experienced working with formulas, expressions, etc., but I have also learned how those are taught. Learning how something is taught is challenging, especially in math. It takes time, patience, and critical thinking. You have to know how and when to use prior knowledge to build on new information in the most logical way in order for your students to benefit and learn. Being able to know the idea, processes, and significance behind all math in a way that helps you teach others it takes a lot of focus and determination.
Top 5:
1. I believe that one of the most influential mathematicians was Sir Isaac Newton. He helped make large discoveries in the mathematics world that furthered the world's knowledge of what was. In math, he was known for the creation of calculus (my favorite!) and the Binomial Theorem. These advances that he discovered gave us tools that allowed other ideas to form that led to new information.
2. Following Newton, I would say is pi. Obviously, pi is a famous number known by all. However, they do not really understand the importance of it. Pi is simply a number, but this number expanded the knowledge and accuracy of many formulas and results. Also, I find it incredibly interesting that the exact number will never be known, it's mysterious.
3. The Pythagorean Theorem can be used for many different reasons, which gives it the significance. This theorem has helped solve the missing lengths in triangles and has helped us further our trigonometry. It has helped us find unknown lengths in many other shapes, too.
4. The Quadratic Formula is useful in so many aspects and helps later topics that will be discussed and taught. The formula is one of the most important, as a matter of fact, in algebra. It is used to solve ANY quadratic equation. I remember first using this formula and the challenges that I had, but once it clicked it helped me understand and perform algebra that much better.
5. The Unit circle can be used to investigate angles and lengths further. It helps expand your knowledge and keeps it organized around the x and y axis. You are able to use the unit circle while working with sine, cosine, and tangent. I was able to excel in trigonometry once the unit circle was introduced.