EMA EMITS COLLEGE PHILIPPINES

(Formerly: Eastern Mindoro Institute of Technology & Sciences)

Del Pilar St.; Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro
Telefax No. (043) 284-3974

Principles and Strategies in Teaching Mathematics

______________________________________________________________________________

MODULE Patterns and Relationships in

3 TelefaxMathematics
No. (043) 284-3974

Intended Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this Module, you should be able to:
 discover the etymology of Mathematics;
 explain the different definitions of Mathematics; and
 identify the 10 natures of Mathematics.

Introduction

Mathematics relies on both logic and creativity, and it is studied both for a variety of
practical purposes and for its intrinsic interest. For some people, and not only professional
mathematicians, the essence of mathematics relies in its beauty and its intellectual challenge. For
others, including many scientists and engineers, the chief value of mathematics is how it applies
to their own work.
Because mathematics plays such a central role in the modern world, some basic
understanding of the nature of mathematics is requisite for scientific literacy. To achieve this,
students need to perceive mathematics as part of the scientific endeavor, comprehend the nature
of mathematical thinking, and become familiar with key mathematical ideas and skills.

Etymology

The term “Mathematics” is derived from two Greek words: “manthanein: means
learning and “techne” means an art or technique. In short, Mathematics means the art of learning
related to discipline or facilities.

What is Mathematics?

 According to dictionary
Mathematics is the science of number, measurement, quantity and magnitude.
 According to “New English Dictionary”
Mathematics-in a strict sense- is the abstract science which investigates deductively the
conclusions implicit in the elementary conception of spatial and numerical relations.

Hence, we conclude that Mathematics is a systematized, organized and exact branch of

science.
Mathematics in words of different authors:
  Kant
Mathematics is the indispensable instrument of all physical resources.
 C.F. Gauss
Mathematics is the queen of science and Arithmetic is the queen of all Mathematics.
 Bacon
Mathematics is the gateway and key to all science.
 Benjamin Franklin
He noted: What science can there be nobler, more excellent, more useful for men, more
admirable, high and demonstrative than that of Mathematics?
 Locke
Mathematics is a way to settle in the mind- a habit of reasoning.
 J.B. Shaw
Mathematics is engaged, in fact, in the profound study of art and the expression of
beauty.

10 Nature of Mathematics

The nature of Mathematics can be made explicit by analyzing the chief characteristics of
Mathematics.
a) Mathematics is a science of discovery:
E.E. Biggs states that:
Mathematics is the discovery of relationships and the expression of those
relationships in symbolic form-in words, in numbers, in letters, by diagrams or by graphs.
According to A.N. Whitehead:
“Every child should experience the joy of discovery.”
The children must have opportunities for making their own discoveries of
mathematical ideas, but they must also have the practice necessary information to achieve
accuracy in their calculation.
b) Mathematics is an intellectual game:
Mathematics can be treated as an intellectual game with its own rules and abstract
concepts. From this view points, Mathematics is mainly a matter of puzzles, paradoxes
and problem-solving – a sort of healthy mental exercise.
c) Mathematics deals with the art of drawing conclusions:
According to Benjamin Pierce:
“Mathematics is the science that draws necessary conclusions.”
In Mathematics, the conclusions are certain and definite. Hence, the learner can
check whether or not he has drawn the correct conclusions, permit the learner to begin
with simple and very easy conclusions, gradually move over to more difficult and
complex ones.
d) Mathematics is a tool subject:
Mathematics has its integrity, its beauty, its structure and many other features that
relate to Mathematics as an end in it. However many conceive Mathematics as a very
useful means to other ends, a powerful and incisive tool of wide applicability.
e) Mathematics involves an intuitive method:
 The first step in the learning of any mathematical subject is the development of
intuition. Intuition when applied to Mathematics involves the concentration of an idea not
get stated in the form of some sort of operations or examples.
f) Mathematics is the science of precision & accuracy:
Mathematics is known as an exact science because of its precision. It is perhaps
the only subject which can claim certainty of results. In Mathematics, the results are
either right or wrong, accepted or rejected.
g) Mathematics is the subject of logical sequence:
Mathematics learning always proceeds from simple to complex and from concrete
to abstract. It is a subject in which the dependence on earlier knowledge is particularly
great. Algebra depends on Arithmetic, the Calculus depends on Algebra, Dynamic
depends on Calculus, Analytical Geometry depends on Algebra and Elementary
Geometry and so on.
h) Mathematics requires the application of rules and concept to new situations:
The study of Mathematics requires the learners to apply the skill acquired to new
situations. The students can always verify the validity of mathematical rules and
relationships by applying them to novel situations. Such a practice will make the learning
of Mathematics more meaningful and significant.
i) Mathematics deals with generalizations and classification:
Mathematics provides ample exercise in combining various results under one
head, in making schematic arrangements and classifications. The generalizations and
classification of Mathematics are very simple and obvious in comparison with those of
domains of thought and activity.
j) Mathematics is a science of logical reasoning:
It goes without saying that logic is an important factor in mathematics. It governs
the pattern of deductive proof through which Mathematics is developed.
According to Marco Pieri, Mathematics is a hypothetico – deductive system.
Polya suggested that Mathematics actually has two faces. First, is a systematic
deductive science. Second, is in the making it appears as an experimental, inductive
science.

NAME/COURSE: __________________________________
ACTIVITY SCORE: __________ RATING: ___________
 “Once a person cheats in exam, forever people will distrust him.”

Test I: Identify which Nature of Mathematics is implied in each statement. Write only the letter
of the correct answer on the space provided.

Choices
a) Mathematics is a science of discovery
b) Mathematics is an intellectual game
c) Mathematics deals with the art of drawing conclusions
d) Mathematics is a tool subject
e) Mathematics involves an intuitive method
f) Mathematics is the science of precision & accuracy
g) Mathematics is the subject of logical sequence
h) Mathematics requires the application of rules and concept to new situations
i) Mathematics deals with generalizations and classification
j) Mathematics is a science of logical reasoning

1. One of the important functions of the school is to familiarize children with a

mode of thought which helps them in drawing right conclusions and inferences.
3. Mathematics is about problem-solving and other sort of cognitive exercise.

5. The teachers’ job is to help the students in taking decisions regarding the degree
of accuracy which are most appropriate for any calculations.
7. It is a nature wherein gradation and sequence can be observed among topics in
any selected branch of Mathematics.
9. It means that Mathematics is a system of logic processes where lay conclusions
are deduced from certain fundamental assumptions and definitions that have
been hypothesized.
11. Intuition is to anticipate what will happen next and what to do about it.

13. When the pupil evolves his own definitions, concept and theorems, he is
making generalizations.
15. Concept and principle become more functional and more meaningful only when
they are related to actual practical applications.
16. Even when there is a new emphasis on approximation, mathematical results can
have any degree of accuracy required.
17. Mathematics gives an easy and early opportunity to make independent
discoveries.

Test II: Explain this quotation by Bacon as concise as possible. Write your answer at the back of
your paper. (10 points)

“Mathematics is the gateway and key to all science.”

Reference

http://www.slideshare.net/mobile/AngelSopia2/nature-scopemeaning-and-definition-of-
mathematics-pdf-4