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Introduction
Introduction
How do you feel about math? Many students do not have favorable views of math.
In this module we will explore the reasons for this and why it is important to develop
a more positive view of and attitudes towards math.
Learning Outcomes
After studying this module, you should be able to:
1. Reflect on public attitudes and perceptions of math;
2. Discuss the importance of mathematics in various human activities; and
3. Relate mathematics concepts to you field/s of interest.
MATH 10 Introduction
It was Einstein who said that mathematics is so admirably appropriate to the objects
of reality. Meanwhile, no less that President Duterte said that hardly anything is
learned from algebra, trigonometry, and calculus. These two views may be taken to
represent the opposite ends of the spectrum of views the public has of mathematics.
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MATH 10 Introduction
Your teacher may require you and your classmates to discuss your answers to this
activity in class.
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In addition, one should not overlook the ubiquity of mathematics in the most “low-
tech”oand natural of settings. There is math in sports, arts, and the weather. Indeed,
there is as much mathematics to be found in a boxing match, a painting, and a
tsunami, as in the workings of a computer program.
In today’s society it is crucial for an informed citizen to: (1) have a broad general
awareness of mathematics, its role in society, and its strengths and limitations; and
(2) have a working competency in quantitative reasoning – i.e. a good sense of
number, shape and size, the ability to assess numerical, statistical and probabilistic
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MATH 10 Introduction
evidence, and a level of comfort with abstractly presented reasoning. This course
addresses both needs but focuses primarily on the first goal, that is, awareness and
appreciation, as it lays the groundwork for acquiring needed mathematical and
quantitative skills with confidence.
It is a popular belief that mathematics is all about computation. Indeed, the first word
that comes to students’ minds when they hear of mathematics is “numbers”. Much
of our routine daily activities involve computation of some sort, whether of money,
time, and the like. Much of the information we deal with involves numbers, such as,
birthdays, addresses, ID numbers. Hence, it is important to have an appreciation of,
first of all, the need for numbers.
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Activity 3 (30 minutes)
Form groups and come up with your own numeration system. Discuss/Justify your
choice of symbols and base. Through this activity, you will also be able to
distinguish between a number and a numeral.
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MATH 10 Introduction
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Activity 4
1. Read the article, “Mathematics: Why the brain sees maths as beauty”, by James
Gallagher ( www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-26151062).
2. After reading the article, reflect on this question: What do you find beautiful or
enjoyable? Can you find math in it/them?
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In his 1994 essay, “Literacy in the Language of Mathematics,” cancer researcher Dr.
james Bullock says,
Getting the picture does not mean writing the formula or crunching the
numbers, it means grasping the metaphor.”
Addressing math teachers, literacy expert Kelly Gallagher, in his 2004 book Deeper
Reading, says:
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MATH 10 Introduction
“When you empower your students to compare their before and after
actions when solving problems and to identify their “givens” when
finding the unknown, you allow them not only to see the big picture but
to grasp the mathematical metaphor. Teaching students to think
metaphorically sharpens their interpretative skills and helps them
reach deeper understanding. In this way, students are taught critical
thinking skills that stay with them long after the last lesson of the school
year.”
In this course, we will explore the language of math in ways that will hopefully enable
you to grasp the mathematical metaphor.
Conclusion
At the end of this module, you should begin to have a grasp of the true nature and
practice of mathematics. This should be the beginning of an eye-opening journey to
the presence of mathematics not just in computation-heavy disciplines, like STEM
(science and technology, engineering, and mathematics), business and accounting,
statistics, and the like, but also in the arts, social sciences, sports, etc. It is equal parts
intellectual and creative, powerful and beautiful, classical and modern, in high
technology and in nature.
References
www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-26151062
JO Bullock, Literacy in the Language of Mathematics, The American Mathematical
Monthly, Vol 101 No. 8 (Oct 1994), pp 735-743
M Pearse and KM Walton, Teaching Numeracy: 9 Critical Habits to Ignite
Mathematical Thinking, Corwin Press, 2011
K Gallagher, Deeper Reading: Comprehending Challenging Texts, Stenhouse
Publishers, 2003
Photo Credits
Cover photo: Randy Glasbergen http://www.glasbergen.com/math-cartoons/
Overview of the course: http://mariafresa.net/single/2039189.html
Numeracy and quantitative literacy:
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MATH 10 Introduction
central.rcschools.net/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=690205&type=u
Student and public…: Randy Glasbergen http://www.glasbergen.com/math-
cartoons/
Preliminary reflections: Calvin & Hobbes www.comicmath.com/comics.html
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