PISMP Sem 1 Jan 2011

TOPIC 1

The Meanings and Roles of Mathematics

Introduction Welcome to the world of Mathematics! Mathematics has been called the queen of sciences by Gauss (1777-1855), deemed the greatest mathematician in history. Many people perceive mathematics as just something that has to do with numbers and calculation. However, Mathematics carries a deeper meaning than this and plays a significant role in our lives. As a mathematics teacher, you need to appreciate mathematics as a subject that is full of ideas and creativity. Read on to discover the beauty of mathematics! Mathematics can be defined in various ways. The question What is Mathematics? looks simple, but many people have given different answers to it (Khoo, 1988). Here are a few examples: Mathematics is a science about numbers and space Mathematics is a study about the relationship of numbers and diagrams. Mathematics is a logical system pertaining to axioms and deductive inference from the axioms systems Mathematics is a kind of special language which is useful to solve particular problems. Mathematics is something to do with arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus and so on. Mathematics is a science of patterns and it is also a language to describe patterns.

It is important that you, as a teacher, have a deep understanding of what mathematics is. Reading Appendix 1 will help you to gain more insight in this respect.

PISMP Sem 1 Jan 2011

Appendix 1 Mathematics is a study of patterns and relationships. Children need to be aware of recurring ideas and relationships between and among mathematical ideas. These relationships and ideas provide a unifying thread throughout the curriculum, for each topic is interwoven with others that have preceded it. Children must come to see how one idea is like or unlike others that they have already learned. For example, children in Primary One can explore how one basic fact, say 3+2= 5 is related to another basic fact 5 - 3 = 2. Children in later grades can investigate the effect of changing the perimeter of a figure on its area. Mathematics is a way of thinking. Mathematics provides us with strategies for organizing, analyzing, and synthesizing data, largely but not exclusively numerical. People who are comfortable with mathematics use it daily as they meet with everyday problems. For instance, some people assess and analyse the situation before making use of various strategies to solve everyday problems. Some use tables to record information while others develop an analogy with several related items to get to the root of the problem. Logical thinking is part and parcel of mathematics. Mathematics is an art, characterized by order and internal consistency. Many children think of mathematics as a confusing set of discrete facts and skills that must memorized. Due to the fact that teachers tend to focus on developing the skills required to do mathematics, they very often forget that children need to be guided to recognize and to appreciate the underlying orderliness and consistency as the children construct their own understanding of mathematics. Mathematics is a language Mathematics is considered as a special language using carefully defined terms and symbols. These terms and symbols enhance our ability to communicate about science, real-life situations and mathematics itself. Mathematics is a tool or an instrument. Mathematics is what mathematicians use, and it is also used by everyone in the course of their daily lives. Thus, children can come to appreciate why they are learning the facts, skills and concepts that the school has programmed for them. They too, can use mathematics to solve both practical and abstract problems, just as mathematicians do. Mathematics is used in or may even be a prerequisite requirement to many occupations and vocations. Source: Reys, R. E., Suydam, M. N. & Lindquist, M. M. (1995). Helping children learn th mathematics. 4 ed. New York: Allyn & Bacon.

In conclusion, Mathematics can be defined as a way of thinking, a study of patterns, a study of relationships, an art, characterized by order and internal consistency, a unique language and a necessary tool or instrument in our daily lives.

PISMP Sem 1 Jan 2011

1.2

Roles and Importance of Mathematics

Mathematics is part and parcel of our daily lives. Many of our daily activities such as buying food, doing business, traveling, and planning our work are closely related to mathematics. Mathematics trains the human mind to think and reason logically and rationally. As a result, the knowledge of mathematics has a great impact on your daily life. For example, without mathematics, you will not be able to manage your money efficiently. Furthermore, you will not be able to perform many of your daily activities systematically. As such, the importance of mathematics in your life is undeniable. Moreover, mathematics can also enhance your problem-solving ability besides improving your level of intelligence. Persons who are well-trained in mathematics are able to carry out complex duties efficiently and effectively. For example, many mathematicians all over the world have been hired to solve a variety of complex problems. History has shown that mathematicians had even helped to break secret codes used during World War II. Besides your daily life, mathematics also play an important role in the development of science and technology, such as in the development of information and communication technology (ICT). The advancement of science owes its success to the advancement in mathematics. As an example, the creation of the binary number system has provided a powerful means of computational procedure in computers. The use of mathematics has been a critical factor in the progress of human civilization. The development of human civilization was instrumental in bringing about a lot of advancement in the field of science and technology. This, in turn has upgraded the quality of human social and economic activities. For example, in early human civilizations, mathematical symbols such as marks and numerals were used to record belongings. This has promoted economical growth through active commercial trading activities.

The progress of a country depends very much on the advancement of mathematics as well. The sixth challenge in the Malaysian VISION 2020 concerns the building of a progressive and scientific society with individuals who are creative and farsighted so that Malaysia can become a contributor towards the establishment of a scientific and ICT-literate civilization in the future. Without citizens who are mathematicallyinclined, it will be very difficult, if not impossible to achieve this national aspiration.

PISMP Sem 1 Jan 2011

Summary 1. Mathematics can be defined as (a) a way of thinking, (b) a study of patterns and relationships, (c) an art, (d) a language, and (e) a tool in our daily life. 2. Besides contributing to the advancement in science and technology, mathematics also play a significant role in ensuring the well being of an individual; the progress of a society, and the development of a nation.

References Khoo Phon Sai (1988), Belajar untuk mengajar matematik sekolah menengah. Kuala Lumpur: Berita Publishing. Mok Soon Sang. (2003). A mathematics course for Diploma of Education Semester 1. 1st ed. Subang Jaya: Kumpulan Budiman. Reys, R. E,, Suydam, M.N. & Lindquist, M. M. (1995). mathematics. 4th ed. New York: Allyn and Bacon. Helping children learn