Mathematics is an area of study which has been largely stigmatized in recent years for some odd reasons. The peculiar notion that people are either born gifted for numbers or not permeates many facets of the Western world. Our oriental counterparts consider the field to be a fundamental area of reasoning and development. There are several reason for this that are out of our area of control, however. Most Chinese dialects require only a third of a second to pronounce a number whereas English, Arabic, Hebrew, and other more complicated extend that some vocalization to a fourth of a second. This means that the Chinese are able to memorize a ten digit chain perfectly nearly every time while their lingual counterparts are only half as successful.
Superfluous cultural nuances aside, many Westerners appear to fear math because it requires work. I admit that I'm great with numbers but not once have been flustered myself. The joy comes not in the end, however, but the journey. While creative brain blasts for writing will always bring a smile to my face there is nothing more satisfying than solving a complicated algorithm. The variety of possible calculations is also astounding ranging from quantities to abstract shapes. Sigma notation, polar coordinates, and limits are just the tip of the iceberg, a few concepts which come to mind.
Mathematics is a prerequisite for success in chemistry and physics and precise measurements are necessary to transform a wacky hypothesis into the next scientific break through. From the daily grocery bill to the architecture we traverse and lay our eyes upon math is all around us. Much like my recent The Reading Problem thread I believe this is a mentality I believe needs to be reversed. Maybe I'm completely incorrect in my generalizations and if so feel free to correct me but this distaste for such a central facet of our existence is harrowing.
I have a few questions to cap off this thread:
For those who enjoy math: Have you been fond of mathematics your entire life? If not, what was your turning point? What areas of math are your favorite? Why do you enjoy these fields?
For those who dislike math: Have you always have a distaste for the academic area? If not, what was your turning point? What areas of math are you least fond of? Why?
Superfluous cultural nuances aside, many Westerners appear to fear math because it requires work. I admit that I'm great with numbers but not once have been flustered myself. The joy comes not in the end, however, but the journey. While creative brain blasts for writing will always bring a smile to my face there is nothing more satisfying than solving a complicated algorithm. The variety of possible calculations is also astounding ranging from quantities to abstract shapes. Sigma notation, polar coordinates, and limits are just the tip of the iceberg, a few concepts which come to mind.
Mathematics is a prerequisite for success in chemistry and physics and precise measurements are necessary to transform a wacky hypothesis into the next scientific break through. From the daily grocery bill to the architecture we traverse and lay our eyes upon math is all around us. Much like my recent The Reading Problem thread I believe this is a mentality I believe needs to be reversed. Maybe I'm completely incorrect in my generalizations and if so feel free to correct me but this distaste for such a central facet of our existence is harrowing.
I have a few questions to cap off this thread:
For those who enjoy math: Have you been fond of mathematics your entire life? If not, what was your turning point? What areas of math are your favorite? Why do you enjoy these fields?
For those who dislike math: Have you always have a distaste for the academic area? If not, what was your turning point? What areas of math are you least fond of? Why?
