Why must I do Maths?
Posted by Charles reid on Wednesday, May 2, 2012
As an experienced tutor with many years experience, I can comfortably say that one of the most common objections I get is that Maths has no relevance for the learner. "I am going to study Fine Art/Lawyering/Ballet/etc etc. I am never going to use this stuff ever again and I hate it!!"
Well dream on kid! My course in Atlantis bears this out. A question to the class- If I buy 6 items each valued at R19.95, give the cashier R150 and she gives me R10 back, is it a good deal? Sad to say but most of the class would have accepted the R10 change and been happy. Without a basic numeracy skill it is very easy for third parties to take advantage of you.
Plus there is this small issue of Linear logic that sits very uncomfortably with a lot of folk. Maths in its purest most beautiful language, is absolutely logical and there is only one correct answer. Of course I can hear the chorus of bunny huggers and new age loonies decrying this terrible perversion of all that is magical, but try and tell that to the Judge. And this of course is where the mathematical method comes into its own. Jus yerronner! I did not apply logic to my actions!! And heaven forbid if the Judge applies logic- terror of terrors!!
Last but not least is the issue of learning a new language with all its strange symbols and conventions. If you are slightly rebellious, there is plenty to rebel against. The tiresome placement of the numbers. Get it just slightly wrong and the meaning changes completely. The discipline required to write legibly and in a logical sequence. The horror.
So I continue to try my best to do a sales job on maths to reluctant consumers and I do try and tell them how it is for their own good, but they just smile and nod, knowing that this makes me happy and I will eventually shut up and give them the short cuts!!!!
Happy Wednesday!
Well dream on kid! My course in Atlantis bears this out. A question to the class- If I buy 6 items each valued at R19.95, give the cashier R150 and she gives me R10 back, is it a good deal? Sad to say but most of the class would have accepted the R10 change and been happy. Without a basic numeracy skill it is very easy for third parties to take advantage of you.
Plus there is this small issue of Linear logic that sits very uncomfortably with a lot of folk. Maths in its purest most beautiful language, is absolutely logical and there is only one correct answer. Of course I can hear the chorus of bunny huggers and new age loonies decrying this terrible perversion of all that is magical, but try and tell that to the Judge. And this of course is where the mathematical method comes into its own. Jus yerronner! I did not apply logic to my actions!! And heaven forbid if the Judge applies logic- terror of terrors!!
Last but not least is the issue of learning a new language with all its strange symbols and conventions. If you are slightly rebellious, there is plenty to rebel against. The tiresome placement of the numbers. Get it just slightly wrong and the meaning changes completely. The discipline required to write legibly and in a logical sequence. The horror.
So I continue to try my best to do a sales job on maths to reluctant consumers and I do try and tell them how it is for their own good, but they just smile and nod, knowing that this makes me happy and I will eventually shut up and give them the short cuts!!!!
Happy Wednesday!