Limits on math content

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Wilfredo Vasquez

Legacy Member
Some of us do not know what are the limits between arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, precalculus, pre algebra and other more complex topics.

It may be the case that we have to support our children and another person in learning about these issues and we do not know how to recognize exactly what is the issue in which they are asking us for help.

For you, what would be those limits, such as being able to explain in a simple way to others, what aspects each of these subjects covers or at least the most essential, such as: Arithmetic, prealgebra, algebra and geometry?
 
I think learning geometry and arithmetic is mandatory, but shouldn't be over done. But the rest of math subject aren't necessary, especially if you don't intend on working in that field. Arithmetic will allow you to count and geometry to understand shapes.
 
I think that apart from arithmetics nothing else should be mandatory. Arithmetics is something you encounter on a daily basis, while other forms of math are exclussive to certain professions and hobbies. Personally I never use anything apart from that.
 
Algebra will also be mandatory because thats where you do basic problem solving. Knowing algebra also makes us feel more certain about something because it uses some common sense in analyzing the problems. What kind of a professional person am i if i cannot identify the mistake in my expertise. Therefore, algebra makes us like a technician in our own field.
 
Indeed
Wilfredo Vasquez said:
Some of us do not know what are the limits between arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, precalculus, pre algebra and other more complex topics.

It may be the case that we have to support our children and another person in learning about these issues and we do not know how to recognize exactly what is the issue in which they are asking us for help.

For you, what would be those limits, such as being able to explain in a simple way to others, what aspects each of these subjects covers or at least the most essential, such as: Arithmetic, prealgebra, algebra and geometry?
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Indeed, we all shall know the limits of teaching of math branches like algebra or geometry and other core branches of mathematics. We did not know that our students have some trouble of absorbing the lessons because we taught them fast and not considering the effects of it. It can make them lazy to understand such a topic and can lead to boredness. We, as teachers should know first how to teach our students in a way that they can understand more rather than bombing them with huge of topics .
 
ART36 said:
Indeed

Indeed, we all shall know the limits of teaching of math branches like algebra or geometry and other core branches of mathematics. We did not know that our students have some trouble of absorbing the lessons because we taught them fast and not considering the effects of it. It can make them lazy to understand such a topic and can lead to boredness. We, as teachers should know first how to teach our students in a way that they can understand more rather than bombing them with huge of topics .
Click to expand...

Hi Art36, I think your point of view on this topic is very interesting, thank you for sharing it, and I agree that there are teachers who confuse their role, see education as a teaching process alone and do not stop to think about ways to achieve a adequate learning by the recepttos of knowledge that they as teachers try to share. Especially when it comes to subjects such as mathematics require that they have it enough, teachers have to know how to love the students of our subjects.
 
bravosi said:
I think learning geometry and arithmetic is mandatory, but shouldn't be over done. But the rest of math subject aren't necessary, especially if you don't intend on working in that field. Arithmetic will allow you to count and geometry to understand shapes.
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I believe that students up to the high school level should be exposed to as many subjects as possible, including maths that are deemed unnecessary in common everyday life, such as trigonometry and calculus. Exploring different subjects would help students determine their interests, strengths, and weaknesses, which they will need to know so that they can properly decide the career path that they should follow. Otherwise, they might end up pursuing engineering and later discover that they're not interested in the higher maths, or medicine when they're not really interested in biology. They may have a romanticized view of a certain profession, pursue it, invest time and money into it, and later discover that they don't have the appetite or the aptitude for it. Conversely, they may be turned off from certain subjects and professions (Math sucks! Math is too hard! Don't become an engineer or an actuarian!) without realizing that they would love these subjects if only they tried.
 
Learning these branches of math in high school was hard. I think it should really not be over done. A student's mind isn't a computer that can easily store information.
 
I basically believe learning should be at the child's pace, not what the school system wants to include as a part of their syllabus. The system should focus on getting the basic foundation of arithmetic rock solid. It is easier to build on a strong foundation than on a weak one. We need to take up algebra, calculus, trigonometry etc. depending on the comfort level of the student. When too much is trust on the child, he or she is filled with fear and could develop an unhealthy hatred for important subjects like math. We need to find way to make these subjects interesting. challenging and give it to them in measures that they can handle.
 
I think having the knowledge of each field with atleast basic ideas is very important. You will never know when you will encounter to use any of those in your daily life. These things aren't taught in school just because we have to but because we need to.
 
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