Importance of Learning Math
In an age when people use calculators for routine arithmetic and computers handle so much of the load for more complex mathematics, one may wonder if there is any point to learning and using mathematics. On the contrary, there are a number of reasons why the subject is more important than ever.
Other People Are Reading
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Math Education
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Compared to the rest of the world mathematics education in the United States is not what it once was. In a 2006 study, the Program for International Student Assessment rated 15-year-olds from thirty developed countries on their math comprehension. American students scored lower than their counterparts in 23 other countries.
Our Complex World
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With the sea of information in which we all swim, our biggest challenge is to get the most meaning out of a tremendous amount of available data. Data are nothing more than a collection of numbers and finding meaning within all this chaos is the role of mathematics.
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Math is Everywhere
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Mathematics is the most widely used school subject. At least some aspect of it is required in almost every other subject. The life sciences are becoming more dependent on mathematics. Rita Colwell, when she was the director of the National Science Foundation, remarked that "mathematics is biology's next microscope."
Mathematics is continually finding its way into more fields of endeavor. A Swiss sailing team won the 2003 America's Cup competition in large part due to their ship design that relied on complex mathematical models of water flow across a hull and the interaction of sails with the wind. Switzerland is a mountainous land-locked country not known for its great sailors, but they do have a long standing mathematical tradition.
Competition for Jobs
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The understanding of mathematics is essential for individuals and countries to gain a competitive edge in many fields in today's global economy. Not only is the use of math routinely necessary in an increasing number of jobs, but any high paying job requires the ability to analyze and simplify complex problems. Learning and understanding mathematical principles is the best way to develop these skills. The use of mathematics trains people to reason logically and enables them to form clear models of problems.
Appreciating the World
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There is a more fundamental reason why mathematics should be important. It has always been the language of science, and an understanding of scientific subjects requires the use of mathematics. It is also the language of nature, and without a firm grounding in the principles of mathematics, one is not able to appreciate the nuances in the world around us. Galileo wrote that "the great book of nature can be read only by those who know the language in which it was written...and that language is mathematics."
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References
- Photo Credit algebra image by Katrina Miller from Fotolia.com
