Mathematics is considered a method of reasoning. It is the subject of a systematic study of the quantitative phenomena around us. It is based on the exact logical meaning of numbers and an integral part of human culture. Mathematics is a creative activity and is one of the most useful, interesting and exciting sections of human knowledge. It is the process of managing and communicating information and has the power to predict and provide solutions to practical problems as well as enable one to explore new imaginary worlds. We use math in our daily lives, in science, in industry, in business and in our free time. Mathematics education is concerned with the acquisition, understanding and use of skills.
Brahmagupta:
Mathematical literacy is of central importance in imparting to the learner the skills necessary to live a full life as a child and then as an adult. Society needs people who can think and communicate in a mathematical way and who can identify the circumstances in which mathematics can be applied to solve problems. It is necessary to understand the data coming in the media, to be competent in terms of professional mathematical literacy and to use appropriate technology to support such programs. Early traces of mathematical knowledge have been seen in the Indian subcontinent since ancient times. The three main contributions to the field of mathematics were the use of notation system, decimal system and zero. Aryabhata worked on the place value system using letters to indicate numbers. The most notable contribution of Indian mathematicians was the introduction of zero (0) in mathematics, which is understood as "nothing". The idea itself was one of the most significant discoveries in the ascent of man to the development of culture and civilization.
Brahmagupta introduced the work on
negative numbers and zero in mathematics. He wrote Brahman, Sputa Siddhantika,
through which the Arabs introduced him to the mathematical system.
Bhaskaracharya otherwise known as Bhaskara-2, was one of the most powerful and
creative mathematicians of ancient India. He contributed to the idea of
infinite, negative numbers and zero rules in the field of mathematics.
Baudhayan was one of the first to reach many concepts of mathematics, which
were later rediscovered by the Western world. The value of the penny was first
calculated by him.
Nagarjuna and Shankutala Devi:
The Pythagorean theorem is already
found in the Sulavasutra of Buddhism, which was written many years before the
age of Pythagoras. Other leading mathematicians of India contributed to
trigonometric functions and solid equations. He described fractions, algebraic
equations, logarithms and exponents in a very interesting way. Sridhar is
another highly respected Indian mathematician who has contributed to the
solution quadratic equation. Astronomy is the applied mathematics that used
mathematical equations to describe the universe or to predict various aspects
of the universe. Mathematics has always been central to astronomy. In ancient
India, Nagarjuna, a famous astronomer as well as a mathematician, used various
mathematical equations to describe the motions of stars and planets. Varahimira
was an Indian astrologer whose main work was on mathematical astronomy. He
found a version of Pascal's triangle and worked on Magic Square before Pascal's
time.
Srinivas Ramanujan :
He was also aware of gravity over the millennium before Newton. Ramanujan's contribution was mostly on number theory and he mastered the number 1729. Ramanujan discovered that 1729 is the smallest number that can be represented in two different ways as the sum of two cubes. Since then, 1729 has been called the "Ramanujan-Hardy Number". Shakuntala Devi is a world famous Indian mathematician. Her name is Human Computer because of her innate ability to solve complex mathematical problems without using any kind of help. The main goal of mathematics education in schools is the mathematics of child thinking. Clarity of thought and adherence to the assumptions of logical conclusions is the core of a mathematical enterprise. There are many ways of thinking, and the kind of thinking that is learned in mathematics is the ability to manage abstractions and problem solving approaches. Knowledge of procedures means solving problems alone is not enough to get answers. At the senior secondary level one needs to develop both procedural as well as conceptual knowledge for a better understanding of mathematics. Success in mathematics requires more than just calculating skills. It also requires the ability to use mathematics in problem solving for more information from a variety of sources. The senior secondary phase is the launch pad from which the learner is guided towards career choices, whether the learners are important in university education or otherwise. By this time, the interests and aptitudes of the learners have been largely determined, and in these two years teaching mathematics can help sharpen their abilities. Many university degrees require mathematics as a prerequisite.
Learners who do not choose to take mathematics seriously or choose to skip it at the secondary and senior secondary level may miss out on many future career opportunities. They essentially turn their backs on more than half the job market. The importance of mathematics for a potential career cannot be overemphasized. The following fields are Physical Sciences (Chemistry, Physics, Engineering), Life and Health Sciences (Biology, Psychology, Pharmacy, Nursing, Optometry), Anthropology, Anthropology, Communication, Economics, Geographic tech sciences, such as computer science, networking, commerce software development, business and commerce, are used by medical companies, actuarial sciences, insurance companies, who need to have a good knowledge of mathematics and statistics. Helps to choose a career in the field The figure below shows some of these fields.
Mathematics is an important discipline of learning at the senior secondary level. It helps the learner to acquire the ability to make decisions through his applications in real life in both familiar and unfamiliar situations. It mainly contributes to the development of accuracy, logical reasoning and analytical thinking. The senior secondary stage is most crucial where first time learners move towards diversity. At this stage, learners begin to think about making important decisions regarding their future careers by choosing the right courses. It is the stage from which learners either go for higher education in mathematics or for vocational courses or it may be the end of their academic career. The basic purpose of learning mathematics at the senior secondary level is to develop problem solving skills and quantitative experiences around learners. It involves the way things are done, and the ability and tendency to create and solve problems (NCF, 2005) The idea is that the learner can understand how and why math is all around us. Given these facts, it is important to make mathematics education broad-based and meaningful at this level. An improved curriculum in mathematics is designed to meet the diversity needs of learners
0 Comments