According to Oxford dictionary, math is the abstract science of number, quantity, and space, either as abstract concepts (pure mathematics), or as applied to other disciplines such as physics and engineering (applied mathematics). In a simpler opinion, LiveScience says math is the science associated with the logic of shape, quantity and arrangement.
On the other hand, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) presents the concepts of math via its standards. According to NCTM, there are two following sets of math concepts or standards for teaching and learning math. 1) Thinking math standards: problem solving, communication, reasoning, and connections. 2) Content math standards: estimation, number sense, geometry and spatial sense, measurement, statistics and probability, fractions and decimals, and patterns and relationships. |
Although we may have different ways to talk about the concept of mathematics, we are not able to negate the important role of mathematics in our real life. It is undeniable that math is all around us and involves in most things we do. In our life, we count the number of what we have or see in life. We present our gain as a positive number and our loss as a negative number. We consider a pizza slice as a small fraction of the whole pizza, or use a decimal number to show an accurate measurement.
Especially, math helps us describe and solve the problems in the world. For description, math is a symbolic language which helps represent things and their relationships in simple patterns. For instance, the perimeter of a circle-shaped garden is simply expressed and calculated by the formula “2πr.” For problem solving, math is the reasoning process which searches the truths or the solutions for problems. Solving an equation which represents a real problem, for example, is to find what has not yet known in the problem. Measuring and calculating the volume and the surface area of the real figure helps build houses, buildings, aircraft, etc.
There still are many more examples showing we use math and math thinking in life for our survival and development. Thus, math skill becomes one of essential requirements for our success.
Especially, math helps us describe and solve the problems in the world. For description, math is a symbolic language which helps represent things and their relationships in simple patterns. For instance, the perimeter of a circle-shaped garden is simply expressed and calculated by the formula “2πr.” For problem solving, math is the reasoning process which searches the truths or the solutions for problems. Solving an equation which represents a real problem, for example, is to find what has not yet known in the problem. Measuring and calculating the volume and the surface area of the real figure helps build houses, buildings, aircraft, etc.
There still are many more examples showing we use math and math thinking in life for our survival and development. Thus, math skill becomes one of essential requirements for our success.