Mathematics For All

Objectives: 

• To overcome Math-phobia.

• To provide access to  meaningful  mathematics  to all the learners in meaningful ways to help them achieving its language, concepts, procedures and its tools.

• To aware the learners about Everyday Mathematics 

• To acquire knowledge about Vedic Mathematics.

What  is Mathematics ?

Mathematics is an area of knowledge that includes the topics of numbers, formulas and related structures, shapes and the spaces in which they are contained, and quantities and their changes. 

Historical Background:

The word mathematics comes from Ancient Greek máthēma (μάθημα). It means "that which is learnt",  "what one gets to know", The Pythagoreans were likely the first to constrain the use of the word to just the study of arithmetic and geometry. By the time of Aristotle (384–322 BC) this meaning was fully established.

In Latin, and in English until around 1700, the term mathematics more commonly meant "astrology" (or sometimes "astronomy") rather than "mathematics"; the meaning gradually changed to its present one from about 1500 to 1800. This change has resulted in several mistranslations: For example, Saint Augustine's warning that Christians should beware of mathematici, meaning "astrologers", is sometimes mistranslated as a condemnation of mathematicians.

The apparent plural form in English goes back to the Latin neuter plural mathematica (Cicero), based on the Greek plural ta mathēmatiká (τὰ μαθηματικά) and means roughly "all things mathematical", although it is plausible that English borrowed only the adjective mathematic(al) and formed the noun mathematics anew, after the pattern of physics and metaphysics, inherited from Greek.In English, the noun mathematics takes a singular verb. It is often shortened to maths or, in North America, math.

Application

Mathematics is essential in the natural sciences, engineering, medicine, finance, computer science and the social sciences. Although mathematics is extensively used for modeling phenomena, the fundamental truths of mathematics are independent from any scientific experimentation. Some areas of mathematics, such as statistics and game theory, are developed in close correlation with their applications and are often grouped under applied mathematics. Other areas are developed independently from any application (and are therefore called pure mathematics), but often later find practical applications. The problem of integer factorization, for example, which goes back to Euclid in 300 BC, had no practical application before its use in the RSA cryptosystem, now widely used for the security of computer networks.

Math-Phobia

Mathematics, for many students, is no less furious than a demon. Many students feel sleepy as soon as they open the Mathematics book. Their score in mathematics is very less. They just give up saying that they can’t do it. Unfortunately, math avoidance leads to less competency, exposure and math practice, leaving students more anxious and mathematically unprepared to realize learning goals. This results in Math phobia.

Math Phobia may be a feeling of tension, apprehension, or fear that interferes with math performance. An individual with math phobia doesn’t necessarily lack ability in mathematics; rather, s/he can’t perform to her/his full potential thanks to the interfering symptoms of anxiety.

Easy way to Overcome Math-phobia:

• Ask questions when they don’t understand. Math concepts build upon each other and if one gets lost in the beginning, it will be much harder to understand later concepts. Students should feel that If they don’t understand something, it’s likely that there is at least one other person in the room who is also confused.

• Instead of cramming for a test the night before, you should set aside time each day to study and do practice problems. Repeated long-term practice will help you remember how to solve things when stressed in the testing environment. Studying early also gives time to focus on the concepts that are more difficult to master.

• Changing the way of studying math may change the attitude towards it. Simply memorizing a formula is not as effective as understanding what the formula means and knowing exactly when to use it.

• You should read the textbook thoroughly and write down questions to ask about in class later.

• Working with a study group can sometimes help understand the subject better than doing everything alone. Peer learning is more helpful to the students particularly those who suffer from math phobia.

• Systematic revision method of study works well on every student. Mind mapping and concept mapping help in quick revision and memorization.

• Positive reinforcement from parents is a great way to help a child overcome math phobia. 

How Great People thinks about Mathematics

• Without mathematics, there’s nothing you can do. Everything around you is mathematics. Everything around you is numbers.

— Shakuntala Devi, Indian writer and mental calculator 

• Mathematics is the most beautiful and most powerful creation of the human spirit.

— Stefan Banach, Polish mathematician 

• As far as the laws of mathematics refer to reality, they are not certain, and as far as they are certain, they do not refer to reality.

• — Albert Einstein 

• It is impossible to be a mathematician without being a poet in soul.

— Sofia Kovalevskaya, Russian mathematician 

• The essence of mathematics lies in its freedom.

— Georg Cantor 

• The pure mathematician, like the musician, is a free creator of his world of ordered beauty.

— Bertrand Russell, British philosopher 

• If I were again beginning my studies, I would follow the advice of Plato and start with mathematics.

— Galileo Galilei