HERE WE ARE IN CONTEMPORARY MATH.

WHERE ARE WE GOING TO USE THIS ANYWAY?

MATH DOES NOT REQUIRE A SPECIAL BRAIN.

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TRUE!

Nearly everyone can do math. All it takes is self-confidence and hard work.

THE MATH IN MODERN ISSUES IS NOT TOO COMPLEX.

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TRUE!

While it’s true that only a few people receive the training needed to work with or discover advanced mathematical concepts, most people ARE capable of understanding enough math to make informed opinions.

This is true of other fields, too. Not everyone can be a professional writer, but most people can read a book.

MATH DOES NOT MAKE YOU LESS SENSITIVE.

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TRUE!

It’s no accident that people trained in math have made important contributions to art and music.

Understanding the math that explains the colors of a sunset or the geometric beauty in a work of art can only enhance its appreciation.

MATH MAKES ALLOWANCES FOR CREATIVITY.

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TRUE!

The skills required for math proficiency are cut and dried, but using these tools takes creativity.

Applying mathematics is like the creative process of building a home: The task demands specific skills to lay the foundation, frame in the structure, install plumbing, etc. But building the home also requires creativity.

MATH SOMETIMES DOES NOT PROVIDE EXACT ANSWERS.

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TRUE!

In school math is often either right or wrong. But in real life, answers are never so clear-cut.

Consider the complex decisions required to choose a good investment.

MATH IS RELEVANT TO MY LIFE.

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TRUE!

No matter what your future holds, you will find math involved in many ways.

WHAT IS MATH?

MATH IS THE SUM OF ITS BRANCHES

LOGIC – The study of the principles of reasoning

ARITHMETIC – Methods for operating on numbers

ALGEBRA – Methods for working with unknown quantities

GEOMETRY – The study of size and shape

TRIGONOMETRY – The study of triangles and their uses

PROBABILITY – The study of chance.

STATISTICS – Methods for analyzing data; and

CALCULUS – The study of quantities that change.

MATH IS A WAY TO MODEL THE WORLD

Mathematical models can be as simple as a single equation that predicts how the money in your bank account will grow or as complex as a set of thousands of interrelated equations used to represent the global climate.

MATH IS A LANGUAGE

Math is called the “language of nature” because it is so useful in describing the natural world.

What is your attitude towards math?

If you have a negative attitude, how did it develop?

If you have a positive attitude, can you explain why?

Most people have a natural affinity towards math as children. Think back to when you were 5 or 6 years old. Did you take great pride in counting skills and enjoy puzzles and building blocks? What happened between then and now? Write a short essay answering the following questions:

ASSIGNMENT