Mathematics in the Modern World Mdl 1, Lecture notes of Educational Mathematics

Download Mathematics in the Modern World Mdl 1 and more Lecture notes Educational Mathematics in PDF only on Docsity! ABSTRACT It begins by reflecting on what mathematics really is. It has been said that mathematics is a study of patterns. Some philosophers are also treating mathematics as a language, which eventually leads to what is called mathematical reasoning. The material in the chapter further elaborates these definitions. GE 102 Mathematics in the Modern World Chapter 1 The Nature of Mathematics Week 1 Chapter 1: The Nature of Mathematics | Mdl 1.1 INITIATE Pre-Test Activity: Task No. 1 Answer the question: What does Math mean to you? Write your answer in TYPEWRITTEN on a separate sheet of long bond paper. SPIRITUAL VITAMINS Task No. 2 Read the article in the internet: God and Math? – Christian Perspective Give your insights and write it on a long bond paper in HANDWRITTEN. OBJECTIVES At the end of the lesson, you should be able to: a. Adequately discuss different ways of looking at Mathematics b. Effectively discuss concepts associated with viewing math as a study of patterns CONTENT Nature of Mathematics The emergence of digital technology has sparked a monumental rise in the rate at which we consume and produce data. Before the internet, it could take hours to get several volumes of resources from the library for a research paper. Today, a few minute (or seconds, depending on the speed of your connection) using your mobile device’s browser could get you the same information, or even more. A few decades ago, it took hours for photographs to be printed and shared. Now, it only takes a matter of seconds for your perfect selfie to be uploaded and viewed by your relatives and friends on the other side of the world. In this fast-paced society, how often have you stopped to appreciate the beauty of the things around you? Have you ever paused and pondered about the underlying principles that govern the universe? How about contemplating about the processes and mechanisms that make our lives easier, if not more comfortable? Most people do the same routine tasks every day and the fundamental concepts that make these activities possible are often overlooked. As rational creatures, we tend to identify and follow patterns, whether consciously or subconsciously. Recognizing patterns feels natural, like our brain is hardwired to recognize them. Early humans recognized the repeating interval of day and night, the cycle of the moon, the rising and falling of tides, and the changing of the seasons. Awareness of these patterns allowed humans to survive. In a similar fashion, many flora and fauna also follow certain patterns such as the arrangement of leaves and stems in a plant, the shape of a snowflake, the flowers’ petals, or even the shape of a snail’s shell. Do you also notice patterns around you? What other examples can you think of? In this section, we will be looking at patterns and regularities in the world, and how mathematics comes into play, both in nature and in human endeavors. What is Mathematics? Mathematics simply means to learn or to study or gain knowledge. The theories and concepts given in mathematics help us understand and solve various types of problems in academic as well as in real life situations. Mathematics is a subject of logic. Learning mathematics will help students to grow their problem-solving and logical reasoning skills. Solving mathematical problems is one of the best brain exercises. Mathematics is defined as the study of numbers and arithmetic operations. Many also view mathematics as a science that involves logical reasoning, drawing conclusions from assumed premises, and strategic reasoning based on established rules, laws, or probabilities. Still others describe mathematics as a set of tools or a collection of skills that can be applied to questions of "how many" or "how much." In addition to being a specialized language that deals with shape, size, and quantity, mathematics is also regarded as an art that investigates patterns in order to make predictions. Mathematics as A Study of Patterns GE 102: MATHEMATICS IN THE MODERN WORLD 1