Lecture 1: The Nature of Mathematics

Section 1.1 What is Mathematics?

The term Mathematics is derived from two Greek words “manthanein” which means learning and
“techne” an art of technique. Therefore, mathematics means the art of learning related disciplines.

Mathematics is defined as
the science of quantity,
measurement and special
relation

 Mathematics is the science that deals with the logic of shape, quantity and arrangement. Math is all around
us, in everything we do. It is the building block for everything in our daily lives, including mobile devices,
architecture (ancient and modern), art, money, engineering, and even sports.

How else do you define

Math?

 MATHEMATICS IS A SCIENCE OF DISCOVERY

Mathematics give an easy and early opportunity to make independent discoveries. It is the discovery of
relationships and the expression of those relationship in symbolic form

 MATHEMATICS IS AN INTELLECTUAL GAME

Mathematics in mainly a matter of puzzles, paradoxes, and problem solving

 MATHEMATICS IS A TOOL SUBJECT

Mathematics has its integrity, its beauty, its structure and many other features that relate to Mathematics as
an end in itself

 MATHEMATICS INVOLVES AN INTUITIVE METHOD

The first step in the learning of any mathematical subject is the development of intuition. This must come
before the rules are stated or formal operations are introduced

 MATHEMATICS HAS ITS OWN LANGUAGE AND SYMBOLS

The language for communication of mathematical ideas is largely in terms of symbols and words
which everybody cannot understand

 MATHEMATICS AS AN ABSTRACT SCIENCE

Mathematical concepts are abstract in the sense that they cannot be seen or felt in the physical
world

 MATHEMATICS IS A LOGIC
Logic is an important factor in mathematics; it governs the pattern of dedctive proof throgh
which mathematics isdeveloped
 MATHEMATICS DEALS WITH ART OF DRAWING CONCLUSIONS
In Mathematics the conclsion are certain and definite. Therfore the learne can check the correct
solutions

NEEDS AND SIGNIFICANCE OF LEARNING MATHEMATICS

 Mathematics learning helps to apply mathematical concpets and theorems to new situations.
 Mathematics provides a clear understanding of laws of nature.
 Mathematics helps in clear nderstanding of the cultre and development of r civilization.
 Mathematics learning helps to thinks alternative methods of solving problems
 Mathematics provides a frame work for solving problems.
 Mathematics is a powerful too in the hands of the learners.
 Mathematics learning helps in a better understanding of the world around us

Mathematics in Daily Life.

o Cooking--- when we cook we need to measure the ingredients in terms of table spoons,
teaspoons, ounces, grams, kilograms etc.; messing up with measurements can result in
disastrous meals
o Diet—people who are overweight need to be conscious of their calorie intake. Especially if
they are on special weight loss. Diet knowledge of math is need to calculate the total
amount of calories consumed in a day
o Banking--- it is probably the one place where math is uded more than anywhere
else. No one without basic knowledge about math can’t do anything in bank
o Arts-_ math is also used by artists while making paitings, designing collages as
well as during dance performances. In all these cases the size of canvas, the size
of the stage, etc play a very important role and deciding all these aspects is
literally impossible without the knowledge of math
o Shopping—This is probably the most common use of math in which we make a list of
things we need to buy as well as make payments.
o Gardening--- For planning to sow seeds or count the number of plants everything requires
numbers. All tasks carried out inside a garden require proper measurements
GE 104- Short Survey on Math and Check your Background Knowledge Test

Part 1. Please answer each of the following questions with

1- This is very true of me

2- This a little bit true of me
3- This is not at all true to me

1. I like learning math

2. Math is boring
3. I like to compe up with new ways to solve math problems.
4. Learning new things is fn for me
5. Math is important throughout life
6. I believe that there is usually one right way to solve math problems

Part II.