Maths should not be kept the same, as it is an ever-evolving field that adapts to new discoveries and developments in technology. It is important to continually update the curriculum to ensure students are equipped with relevant skills for the future.
Now let’s take a closer look at the question
Mathematics is a subject that has been around for thousands of years and has played a crucial role in the advancement of countless fields. However, the question of whether or not Maths should be kept the same is a topic of debate, since some argue that it is a timeless subject that remains relevant regardless of time or technological advancements. Nevertheless, there are several reasons why Maths should not be kept the same, as it is constantly evolving in order to adapt to new discoveries and developments in technology.
As Stephen Hawking once said, “Mathematics is the language in which God has written the universe.” In order to fully understand and interact with our world, it’s crucial that we continue to update the curriculum and teaching methods to ensure that students are equipped with the relevant skills for the future. As technology advances, our understanding of Maths is also evolving, and it’s important to keep up with these changes.
Here are some interesting facts about the evolution of Maths:
The ancient Babylonians were the first civilization to use a positional system for writing numbers, which laid the foundation for modern-day arithmetic.
The ancient Greeks, including famous mathematicians such as Euclid and Pythagoras, developed important mathematical concepts such as geometry and the Pythagorean theorem.
In the 17th century, Sir Isaac Newton and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz independently discovered calculus, which revolutionized the way we approach mathematics and scientific problems in general.
In the 20th century, the development of computers and software led to the creation of new branches of mathematics, including computational mathematics and computer algebra systems.
As shown in the table below, there have been many significant changes in the field of Maths over the centuries:
Time Period
Important Developments
Ancient Babylon
Positional numerals
Ancient Greece
Geometry, Pythagorean theorem
Renaissance
Algebra, calculus
Industrial Revolution
Statistics, probability
20th Century
Computational mathematics, computer algebra systems
In conclusion, while Maths is a subject that has stood the test of time, it is important that it continues to adapt and evolve in order to remain relevant in a constantly changing world. As Albert Einstein once said, “Pure mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas.” By updating the curriculum and teaching methods, we can help ensure that future generations are equipped with the skills they need to build upon the legacy of these great mathematicians and advance our understanding of the universe.
Response to your question in video format
In the YouTube video “Anyone Can Be a Math Person Once They Know the Best Learning Techniques | Po-Shen Loh | Big Think”, Po-Shen Loh argues that anyone can understand mathematics if they focus on the principles of reasoning and learn at their own pace. He believes that this would make mathematics the easiest subject to understand.
More intriguing questions on the topic
Why do they teach math differently now?
This ‘new math’ was designed to give students a better understanding of mathematical concepts. The standards seek to create problem-solving skills and an ability to apply math concepts to real-world problems. This means that solving math problems now looks very different.
What is the difference between old math and new math?
Answer to this: What is “new math?” Whereas “old math” focuses on memorization, in which students are encouraged to memorize many formulas and concepts to solve problems, “new math” has been implemented throughout a worldwide shift that took place around 2010 to 2013.
Why do Americans say math instead of maths?
Answer to this: Math is an abbreviation of mathematics, which is a count noun in British English because there are different types of maths (geometry, algebra, calculus, etc.)and a mass noun that happens to end in an ‘s’ in American English (like gymnastics in both dialects).
Is it true that math is everywhere?
Answer: It’s true, maths really is everywhere, and learning about it doesn’t happen just at school or nursery. Young children have lots of important mathematical experiences every day and there are lots of ways to help them begin to develop their mathematical skills. We all use maths many times a day.
Will Maths stay the same?
“People will really go to battle for maths to stay the same,” said Jo Boaler, a professor of education at Stanford University who is working on California’s new guidelines. Jim Wilson/The New York Times Testing results regularly show that math students in the United States are lagging behind those in other industrialized nations.
What is the difference between math skills and math concepts?
As an answer to this: Sometimes people use the words “math skills” and “math concepts” interchangeably. They are not the same, but they do go hand and hand. Understanding how new math skills and concepts work together will give you a new perspective on math education and math challenges. Skills are actions. People do them.
How do math concepts build upon each other?
Many math concepts build upon each other. A child who has a solid understanding of the relationship of quantity and numbers, or “number sense”, will find the concept of “ wholes and parts ”, naturally makes sense. Understanding concepts makes learning skills easier. Mastering skills, especially thinking skills, makes learning concepts easier.
What happens if children learn math without learning the underlying concepts?
Children who learn math skills without learning the underlying concepts, will find math can get very confusing. Their lack of understanding will limit their ability to apply math in a variety of problem solving situations. Without understanding a concept, we are forced to rely on remembering and practicing a skill.
Will Maths stay the same?
The response is: “People will really go to battle for maths to stay the same,” said Jo Boaler, a professor of education at Stanford University who is working on California’s new guidelines. Jim Wilson/The New York Times Testing results regularly show that math students in the United States are lagging behind those in other industrialized nations.
Should mathematics be taught in all schools?
As a response to this: Mathematics should be taught in all schools and be made compulsory at all pre -tertiary levels.This is because it gives the necessary foundation required in other school subjects;due to the indispensable of mathematics in the society.
Should mathematics be pursued for its own sake?
Viewpoint: Yes, mathematics should be pursued for its own sake, as doing so will eventually present practical benefits to society. Viewpoint: No, mathematics should first be pursued by everyone for its societal utility, with the mathematically gifted being encouraged to continue the pursuit of math for math’s sake at advanced levels.
How do new math skills and concepts work together?
In reply to that: Understanding how new math skills and concepts work together will give you a new perspective on math education and math challenges. Skills are actions. People do them. People master math skills the same way they master musical skills or sports skills. They practice the actions and steps intentionally, correctly and frequently.
