Colegio de San Gabriel Arcangel

City of San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, Philippines

COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES DEPARTMENT

Program : Bachelor of Arts In Psychology

Course code : GECO 4
Description : Mathematics In The Modern World

LAS #1
Name:______________________________ Score :________________
Date : _____________________________ Section :________________

Topic : The Nature of Mathematics

[Link] about the nature of mathematics

Learning what it is, how it is expressed, represented and used.
Outcomes [Link] the characteristics of mathematics.
[Link] the nature of mathematics.
[Link] the importance of mathematics in one’s life.

References [Link], Recto M. Mathematics in the modern world, Quezon

City: C and E Publishing Inc.
[Link], Richard Mathematics in the modern world, Sampaloc
Manila: Rex Book Store.
[Link], Winston S. Mathematics In the Modern World: CHED
Curriculum compliant: Manila: Mindshaper Co., Inc.
[Link] Cabatoy [Link] (2018). Mathematics In the modern world.
Ymas Publishing house, Manila.

DISCUSSION:
The word mathematics comes from the Greek (máthēma), which, in the ancient Greek
language, means “that which is learnt,” or “lesson” in modern Greek. Mathēma is derived from
“manthano” while the modern Greek equivalent is “mathaino” which means “to learn.” The
study of mathematics and the use of generalized mathematical theories and proofs are the key
differences between Greek mathematics and the mathematics of preceding civilizations.

Voluminous studies have been conducted about the nature of mathematics since time
immemorial. The rapid growth of mathematics and its application over the past several years
have led to several discussions, studies, essays, and arguments that examine its nature and
importance. Mathematics is defined as the science of patterns and relationships. However,
people still ask: What is it exactly that mathematicians do when they are doing mathematics?
What really is mathematics?

Numerous definitions from different sources are given to “mathematics.” For example,
the Encyclopedia Britannica defines mathematics as “the science of structure, order, and
relations that has evolved from elemental practices of counting, measuring, and describing the
shapes and characteristics of objects.” This definition is the one closest to the mathematics that
is evident in the modern world today.

Characteristics of Mathematics

Different people have different notions of and views on mathematics. However,

regardless of nationality, culture, beliefs, or gender, everybody uses the same mathematics. The
following figure shows the characteristics
that make mathematics different from the other fields of endeavor.

Classification Logical sequence Structure

Generalization Characteristics Precision and

of Mathematics accuracy

Mathematical
Applicability language and Abstractness
symbolism

• Classification

Within logical-mathematical knowledge is the process of classification which

represents the first step towards learning more complex mathematical concepts.
Classification generates a series of mental relations through which objects are grouped
according to similarities and differences depending on specific criteria such as shape,
color, size, etc.

• Logical Sequence

Ideas in mathematics need to flow in an order that makes sense. The sequence
can naturally match what occurs in a text (main ideas) and what the reader needs to
understand. It means that each step can be derived logically from the preceding steps.

• Structure

In mathematics, a structure on a set is an additional mathematical object that is

related to that given set in some particular characteristic or manner, and attaches (or
relates) to that set to endow it with some additional meaning or significance. The
structure on a particular mathematical set will allow mathematicians to study the set
further and find its relationship with other objects.

• Precision and Accuracy

 Accuracy is how close a measured value is to the actual (true) value. It is the
degree to which a given quantity is correct and free from error. Precision, on the other
hand, is how close the measured values are to each other. The concepts of accuracy
and precision are both closely related and are often confused with each other. For
example, while the accuracy of a number x is given by the number of significant decimal
(or other) to the right of the decimal point in x, the precision of x is the total number of
significant decimal (or other) digits.

• Abstractness

Abstraction is the process of extracting the underlying essence of a

mathematical concept by taking away any dependence on real-world objects.
Techniques and methods in abstraction deal with quantitative relations and spatial forms
and their interrelationships with one another. It has a great significance in understanding
concepts in other disciplines.

• Applicability

The applicability of mathematics can lie anywhere on a spectrum from the

completely simple (trivial) to the utterly complex (mysterious). Mathematics can be used
in all fields of human endeavor. According to Kant, “in any special doctrine of nature,
there can be only as much proper science as there in mathematics therein.” Many
agree that the problem of understanding the significant link between mathematics and
modern science is an interesting and significant challenge for the philosopher of
mathematics.

• Generalizations

Making generalizations is fundamental to mathematics. It is a skill that must be

developed among students. It is of vital importance in a functioning society. The Webster
Dictionary defines generalization as the process of “finding and singling out [of
properties] in a whole class of similar objects.”

Nature of Mathematics

Because mathematics plays such a central role in modern culture, some basic
understanding of the nature of mathematics is a requisite for scientific literacy in the modern
world.

A science of
measures

An intuitive An intellectual
method game
 Nature of
Mathematics

A system of The art of

logical drawing
procedures conclusions

A tool
subject

• A science of measures - Measurement is an integral part of modern science as well as of

engineering, commerce, and daily life. It is an activity that involves interaction with a
concrete system with the aim of representing aspects of that system in abstract terms if
“concrete” implies “real.” It often involves the representation of ideal systems. For
example, measurement can represent the average
weight of garbage from a community, the kilowatt usage of electricity of a household,
the maximum profit of a business can have on a particular product, or an electron at
complete rest, among others.

• Intellectual game - Is mathematics just an intellectual game? Intellectual games are

games of skill that require significant intelligence and cognitive effort. These games may
be largely based on a wide or deep knowledge, where that major test is the person’s
ability to remember and recall. Discovering patterns in mathematics needs patters of
intellectual skills that make one mathematical abstraction a reality. Like board games,
mathematics requires visual imagery. Before you make a contemplated move, you have
to visualize how the board will look after you make it, and then how it will be changed by
your opponent’s response, and how it will look after you meet another possible answer.
Games and mathematics both require a strong dose of patience, restraint, and
concentration.

• The art of drawing conclusions - Making sense of this world is a natural characteristic that
everyone must develop. Making sense of mathematics using logical thinking is the
foundation of reasoning and proof standard. Being able to reason is essential to
understanding mathematics. Reasoning is a way to use mathematical knowledge and to
generate and solidify new mathematical ideas. There are various examples of
mathematical reasoning that will be vital to draw conclusions and make generalizations
about those ideas.

• A tool subject - In many fields of human activity, mathematics is undeniably a highly

powerful instrument of investigation. Mathematics is applied in the fields of engineering,
theoretical and applied physics, astronomy, aeronautics, architecture, geology, and
geodetic survey. Even the life sciences (biology, psychology, and medicine) include
numerous fields of investigations which require knowledge of mathematics. In industry
and business, an understanding of mathematics will be very helpful to understand
interests, yields, amortizations, actuarial problems, etc.
• A system of logical procedure - Problem-solving is an important component of
mathematics. it is more than a vehicle for teaching and reinforcing mathematical
 knowledge and helping to meet everyday challenges. Problem-solving is also a skill
which can enhance our logical reasoning.

• An intuitive method - Mathematicians have traditionally regarded intuitions a way of

understanding proofs and conceptualizing problems. Proving theorems is not
mechanical; proving theorems does require formal manipulation. Yet, it also requires the
use of intuition, the ability to see what is reasonable or not, and the ability to put all these
together.

ACTIVITIES

In a piece of paper, answer the following based of the discussion.

[Link] is Mathematics?
2. Explain and enumerate the characteristics of Mathematics.
3. What is the importance of mathematics in one’s life!.