Math Learning

Benefits About Learning Math

“Mathematics is the key and door to the sciences.”

Galileo Galilei

BALM - In Professional Perspectives

MTS

The mathematical thinking styles theory (MTS) was developed by Borromeo Ferri in 2004 based on qualitative studies regarding 15- and 16-year-old learners. A mathematical thinking style is the way in which an individual prefers to present, to understand and to think through mathematical facts and connections by certain internal imaginations and/or externalized representations. Hence, a mathematical style is based on two components: (1) internal imaginations and externalized representations, and (2) on the holistic, respectively, the dissecting way of proceeding.

The Different Thinking Styles: Visual thinking style: Visual thinkers show preferences for distinctive internal pictorial imaginations and externalized pictorial representations as well as preferences for understanding mathematical facts and connections through holistic representations. The internal imaginations are mainly affected by strong associations with experienced situations. • Analytical thinking style: Analytic thinkers show preferences for internal formal imag- inations and for externalized formal representations. They are able to comprehend mathematical facts preferably through existing symbolic or verbal representations and prefer to proceed in a sequence of steps. • Integrated thinking style: These persons combine visual and analytic ways of thinking and are able to switch flexibly between different representations or ways of proceeding.

Self-Efficacy Construct

Self-Efficacy Construct defines the self-efficacy expectation as the subjective conviction that one’s own means and abilities enable one to achieve a defined goal when there are barriers and obstacles along the way. It entails the confidence in one’s own competence to achieve goals under difficult conditions as well.

As a result, the self-efficacy expectation influences the choice of actions de- pending on the level of difficulty, the effort invested in the goal achievement process, the endurance of difficulties and barriers, and thus, indirectly, the degree of success.

The preference for learning mathematics analytically and being successful in mathematics by achieving good grades could cause a high level of self-efficacy.

BALM - In Life Perspectives

Excellent for your brain

Creativity and analytical skills are highly desirable in life. Our brains develop important neural pathways for processing information, and mathematics plays an important role in brain development and analytical skills. Tim Radford writes in The Guardian, “Maths is one of the best ways to strengthen a brain”.

Real-world applications

Your intensive study in mathematics will be applied immediately to solving real-world problems. Katie Kim writes, “Math is needed for almost every single profession in the world. If you want to be a CEO, a real estate agent, a biologist, or even a rocket scientist, it is without a doubt that numbers will be utilized. Basically, you will NEVER be able to escape math and you might as well accept it and have fun learning it while your career does not depend on it.”

Better problem-solving skills

Mathematics provides clarity in problem solving and mathematicians have always understood that problem-solving is central to their discipline because without a problem there is no mathematics. Problem-solving has played a central role in the thinking of educational theorists. As a student of mathematics, you’ll develop better systems for problem-solving, learning how applied mathematics solves real-world issues.

Helps almost every career

Knowledge of mathematics, and its complexities, can help in almost every career. Some careers and jobs that benefit from a degree in mathematics include engineers, computer programmers, statisticians, actuaries, mathematics teachers, and even business managers. All of these careers appear to be different, but the one thing they have in common is that each of them require a strong developed skill set in mathematics.

Helps understand the world better

Studying mathematics allows you to understand the world better. Knowing the nuances behind how mathematics works can open your eyes and help you see the world around you in a new way. For example, Einstein’s theory or relativity (what we perceive as the force of gravity in fact arises from the curvature of space and time; and objects such as the sun and the Earth change this geometry) is instrumental in furthering our understanding of the universe.

Math is the universal language

Mathematics is the “universal language,” meaning it is the one language in the world that is universally understood across different cultures, countries, and languages. All that matters is understanding the mathematical concept -- this can be immensely helpful if you are working on a project with a foreign country. You’ll be able to communicate well on the numbers side of things, which is very productive, since you speak the same language: mathematics.