1.4  The nature of mathematics

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The first prompt is often answered in terms of where mathematical ideas in the classroom come from:

• books (used in classroom), magazines, colleagues, my brain
• teachers, parents, TV, environment
• surroundings, books, everyday life
• human activity, the world around us.

Other answers are more global, such as:

• within
• people
• experience
• life, anywhere and everywhere.

Reasons given for the importance of mathematics (prompt 2) often portray a more personal view of what mathematics is ‘about’. They include:

• its beauty and the support it gives to other disciplines
• it gives a different perspective on things
• it is cross-curricular and, in general, learners will need some mathematics in the world of work
• it promotes logical thought and approaches
• it is involved in so many areas of life
• it is a type of thinking not experienced in many other subjects, as well as a tool for some
• it is a language used across the curriculum and it trains disciplined thinking.

Other reasons are more instrumental. Mathematics is important in schools because:

• it is seen as a measure of academic ability
• a qualification in mathematics is normally a requirement to enter tertiary education.