Learning Mathematics example essay topic

To me, the skills you learn from mathematics are very useful in your every day life. It is a study that shows you step-by-step methods to solve any mathematical equation. To understand math not only do you need to know how to solve the problem step-by- step, but you also need to understand the reasons why you are solving it the way you are. Understanding math teaches you different ways to problem solve. With certain information you go about solving the problem in a certain way. Being a well-rounded math student teaches you that there are sometimes many different ways to solve the same problem.

I have always enjoyed mathematics and I am positive that the only reason for that is because of one special teacher, Mrs. Miura. When I was in seventh grade I ran Cross Country for a coach who was also a math teacher at my school. Although she taught classes such as honors calculus, trigonometry, and advance geometry at the time, while I was in general seventh grade math, she always offered her spare time to help me with whatever I didn't understand. She always had a way for me to understand, step- by-step, what she was doing. She always knew how to simplify the question and relate it to things outside of the "math world". As I advanced in mathematics, she was always there to assist me.

Even though she changed from being a math teacher to our schools counselor, she never forgot how to teach math. She has a sincere liking and an awesome understanding for mathematics. And that was the attitude I worked with all throughout my middle school and high school years, it rubbed off on me. I was in her office many times throughout the day, mainly to socialize, but also to get some one-on-one math tutoring. I am positive that even with my college math classes, Mrs. Miura would be able to help me. Overall I agree with what James O. Bullock had to say in his Essay, "Literacy in the Language of Mathematics".

I understand that mathematics is a major part in everyone's lives and I am aware that there are different pieces that are put together to create mathematics. Bullock goes a little to "deep" for me with referring math to metaphors, but I was still able to agree and understand where he was coming from. I wasn't surprised in a shocking way, but rather shocked because it was something I never thought about before when he said "mathematics was not discovered but invented". I felt that was a strong line to support Bullocks point of view. It made it easy to relate mathematics as a language that has been created for people to learn and understand. One thing I found this essay to be very similar to was the introduction of Math 128.

Bullock shared the importance of really understanding the fundamental concepts of mathematics. In his words he shares that it is important to "grasp the metaphor". In Math 128 (and in algorithm math) we have been spending a lot of time understanding step-by-step the what's and why's behind our problem solving techniques. Bullock had some points that are of general use. He shared the importance of knowing and understanding math in order to proceed. I can relate this to reading a book without being aware of what is going on, as a waste of time.

Bullock made it very clear that there is no point in continuing something without understanding it. Also, he shared that math is something you cant get around, it is used in your everyday life. I can conclude from that statement that mathematics, along with other things, are never going to disappear out of my life so I might as well know it and know it well. I also learned that it makes sense to question your knowledge, your knowledge determines the way you live. Lastly, I do agree with the assertions in the section "How Does One Become literate?" I agree when he said that many people make excuses about not learning mathematics. He said that people use the excuse of not having a certain predominate part of the brain, as a reason why they don't understand math.

Just last week my psychology professor mentioned the false rumors that everyone believes about certain hemispheres of the brain. I agree with Bullock about finding easy ways to relate to mathematics. I think mathematics should be something everyone understands, right up there with reading and writing. It is a part of your everyday life and knowing mathematics can only be beneficial towards an individual.