What is Mathematics Anyway?

So what is mathematics?

This is a question that does not have a direct definition, when you type it into Google you will find pages upon pages of people, researchers, mathematicians, and many others defining mathematics in their own personal ways.

Here is what I think about Math:
Counting
Numbers 
Graphs
Equations

-         Involves to think in depth

-         Number lines

-         Word problems

-         Geometric shapes

-         Use of calculators

-         Division/multiplication

-         Addition/subtraction

-         Trigonometry

-         BEDMASS

     

      In a more a basic way on a website I found called www.mathisfun.com, math is defined as "The study of numbers, patterns,space, and change." This website can be used as good teacher resource for defining various terms throughout the mathematic curriculum, as well has games and practice math problems for grades 1-8.

What does it mean to do mathematics?

Everyone participates in mathematics on a daily basis without even realizing it. Math when you come to think about it is extremely important part of life, not in technically terms of doing algebra of calculus everyday or those lengthy word problems that most times make no sense whatsoever, but in terms of adding and subtraction, or counting money. These things we participate in doing everyday; like buying something, if you pay in cash you have to count out the right amount of money to pass to the cashier, and then the cashier in return has to count back out the change that you receive. If you are at the gym, you count the number of reps you do for each exercise, or when adding weight to your machines you are counting by adding and subtracting. Making supper or baking, you have to know the correct amount to measure out, or how much of an ingredient to add in. Without mathematics the simplest things we do unintentionally would become much more complicated, imagine then how confusing everything would be.

If you are thinking mathematically, what is going on?

When you think mathematically, you are using your past knowledge about mathematics and what you have been taught to solve a problem or a situation. You're using your mind to correctly solve

a mathematic equation, most times we think mathematically without even realizing that we are doing it. The good thing about math, is that even if we do not get the correct answer at first you have endless opportunities to try again, and that's all that matters at the end of the day is if you try.