Cut the knot: learn to enjoy mathematics
A math books store at a unique math study site. Shopping at the store helps maintain the site. Thank you.
Learning Math Online
Sites for teachers
Sites for parents
Terms of use
Awards
Interactive Activities

CTK Exchange
CTK Wiki Math
CTK Insights - a blog
Math Help

III Millennium Olympiad

Games & Puzzles
What Is What
Arithmetic
Algebra
Geometry
Probability
Outline Mathematics
Make an Identity
Book Reviews
Stories for Young
Eye Opener
Analog Gadgets
Inventor's Paradox
Did you know?...
Proofs
Math as Language
Things Impossible
Visual Illusions
My Logo
Math Poll
Cut The Knot!
MSET99 Talk
Other Math sites
Front Page
Movie shortcuts
Personal info
Privacy Policy

Guest book
News sites

Recommend this site

Sites for parents

Education & Parenting

Manifesto  |  Bookstore  |  Contents  |  Amazon store  |  Term index  |  What changed?  |  Contact  |  Recommend
RSS Feed: Recent changes at CTK
Subject: math, chemistry, biology...
Date: Thu, 08 Jul 2000 11:10:58
From: Michael Bruck, U. of Arizona

Your website manifesto states:

If you are a mathematician you surely know what I mean. If you are not, pretend you are, and next time when making a new acquaintance suggest as much. Chances of a response in the spirit of "Oh, really. I have always had problems with math," or "Math was the most difficult subject I ever…" are overwhelming. Somehow I feel that a biologist would not hear (at least not too often) complaints about biology, and a chemist about chemistry. I am sure of this because the term "math anxiety" has gained a respected position in our vocabulary long ago which may only compare to the position afforded to a more recent "computer illiteracy." But whoever heard or confessed of "biological anxiety" or "chemical illiteracy"?

Just for your reference. As a chemist I get the exact same response that you indicate that you get when you announce you are a mathemetician. "Oh really, Chemistry was the most difficult class I ever took" is a very common response.

Of course you could try an experiment. Introduce yourself as "a chemist", "a biologist" or "a mathematician" randomly and see what the responses are. Who knows, you may find it exciting to be considered a chemist or a biologist for an evening ;-)

Mike
==============
Michael Bruck, Ph.D.   University of Arizona
email: mbruck@u.arizona.edu   Department of Chemistry
  Tucson, AZ 85721

Subject: Chemistry and Math
Date: Apr-13-02, 11:54 AM (EST)
From: Kathy Howe

I have to agree with the chemist who posted in response to your manifesto. I teach chemistry at the high school level, and at every parent night I have several parents say "Oh, Chemistry. I hated that!!!" (Of course, they say this right in front of their children, who have just started my class.)

This may just be an extension of the point that you are making. Since chemistry is the first science most people take that uses a significant amount of math, their fear of math will make them fear Chemistry. I have quite a few students who can give beautiful essay answers on tests, but skip any problem that has numbers in it.

I also spend a lot of my time trying to convince students that they don't need to be afraid of the math. Thanks for a great site!

Copyright © 1996-2010 Alexander Bogomolny

Search:
Keywords:

Google
Web CTK