mathematics-

People hate math, at least that's what they're always telling me. Of course, being the way that I am, I have to make converts of everyone. I don't know what my passion is exactly, that drives me to convert the "math haters," but I simply cannot overcome the compulsion to do so. To me, there is not just beauty in mathematics but something else which is spiritual. It's as though God speaks to us through this strange and mysterious language. For this reason, I always approach the subject with a certain degree of humility and reverence, knowing that I can be both abased and exalted by its magnificence.

But why try to make math converts? Why not simply preach to the choir of that rare group of math lovers? Well firstly, the latter group is minuscule in comparison to the former, and secondly, there has always been something noble in trying to make a "believer" out of a "doubter." Moreover, I have this firm belief that our society advances or stands still according to the progress of its children. If the children of society are reared properly, then the future success of such a society is strongly enhanced. If the children are adulterated, ill-educated, and poorly motivated........well, then guess what? Do you really expect a brighter future for mankind? Hardly.

It is for this reason that I go around preaching the importance of mathematics, particularly the foundations of arithmetic. To this day, when I work with a student and see him or her struggling with the topic at hand-whether it be algebra, geometry, or even a higher branch such as calculus-I come to observe that invariably a weak foundation is the root cause of the struggle. In addition, the student's lack of confidence makes the fight even more challenging. The struggle having increased without remedy, the student eventually succumbs and adopts an "I hate math" attitude.

What is encouraging for such cases and certainly worth stressing is that all of mathematics hinges on the basics of arithmetic. It is unfortunate that much of a student's frustration in his studies later on is the result of poor mastery of arithmetic. For this reason I say, "Soundly drill this discipline into the minds of our children and the chances of success in higher mathematics is dramatically increased." A good analogy to make would be with sports and professional athletes. Expert athletes master the basics. The Tiger Woods of the world spent countless hours practicing the fundamentals of golf swinging. The ace pitchers of baseball worked on mastering the mechanics of certain pitches. In both cases, these athletes practiced endless rounds with a keen focus on both speed and accuracy. Even great coaches understand the importance of the fundamentals: this is why athletes spend countless hours in training camp going over the basic exercises and drills. This same concept applies to mathematics. Master the basics and the chances of success later on are increased dramatically.

Consequently, in mathematics, once the foundations are mastered, success comes in this discipline as easily as it does in others. Okay. Maybe not as easily, but certainly success will come nonetheless. And as mathematics is so powerful in helping us march forward as a society-indeed mathematics unfolds to us mysteries of the very universe itself-there really is no need to hate this most awesome subject, but rather love it.

See more at Math Ebook Online Bookstore

Joe is a prolific writer of self-help and educational material and an award-winning former teacher of both college and high school mathematics. Under the penname, JC Page, Joe authored Arithmetic Magic, the little classic on the ABC's of arithmetic. Joe is also author of the charming self-help ebook, Making a Good Impression Every Time: The Secret to Instant Popularity; the original collection of poetry, Poems for the Mathematically Insecure, and the short but highly effective fraction troubleshooter Fractions for the Faint of Heart. The diverse genre of his writings (novel, short story, essay, script, and poetry)-particularly in regard to its educational flavor- continues to captivate readers and to earn him recognition.

Joe propagates his teaching philosophy through his articles and books and is dedicated to helping educate children living in impoverished countries. Toward this end, he donates a portion of the proceeds from the sale of every ebook. For more information go to http://www.mathbyjoe.com

posted by fdwvsmr55035  # 12:45 PM 0 comments

Pianos used to be common in American households. Many of us had uncles or grandmothers who could sit down at a party and accompany group sing-alongs. Music programs in schools were common when I was growing up, as were private piano lessons in the home. This is not the case any longer.

My evidence for this is more anecdotal than statistical. A friend who rebuilds and tunes pianos in New England reported to me a few years ago that the need for such services is slowly dwindling -- and this in an area that typically places a high value on tradition and culture. The one exception seems to be in Asian American households, where an interest in piano and other music lessons is still widespread.

This mirrors a trend reported in an article in the July 7 & 14 issue of The New Yorker in which Alex Ross reports on the booming interest in China in classical music. "Between thirty million and a hundred million children are said to be learning piano, violin, or both, depending on which source you consult," he writes. By the time this thriving music culture becomes widely rooted in the culture, in about 25 years, China will be well equipped to keep the western classical music culture alive -- much like how China helped keep Buddhism alive as it dwindled away centuries ago in its native India.

With the fading interest in piano lessons in the U.S., symphonies have become largely museums, displaying the art of a vanishing tradition. As symphony attendance continues to decline, interestingly enough, attendance at operas has blossomed, growing 46% between 1982 and 2002, and annual attendance is now roughly the same as for NFL football games ("America's Opera Boom," by Jonathan Leaf, July/August 2007 issue of The American). Of course, millions more watch NFL games on television, but the number is still impressive.

One region still highly values pianos in the home, though. According to the Dallas-based Piano Manufacturers Association, in 2000 the Salt Lake City area had the highest number of pianos sold per capita, with Utahans purchasing pianos at five times the national rate (L.A. Times, 4/14/02).

For the average person, karaoke has replaced old-fashioned sing-alongs. No one needs a musician any longer, not even an amateur musician -- just a machine. Likewise, deejays and turntables since the late 1980s have elbowed aside live bands in many settings. It's natural for culture to evolve and for technological developments to bring change. But sometimes what we lose in the bargain is something that has deep and intrinsic value. A meta-analysis of 15 studies of children ages 3-12 suggests that children provided with music instruction exhibit better spatial-temporal reasoning, which is key in many fields including mathematics, and better verbal abilities ("Can Music Instruction Affect Children's Cognitive Development?" by Frances H. Rauscher, ERIC Digest).

So, as we eliminate music programs in schools, as fewer homes have pianos, as we become increasingly amnesiac about our musical traditions, we may find that we have thrown out the baby with the bathwater.

More music articles at Song of Fire (obergh.net/songoffire)

posted by fdwvsmr55035  # 12:44 AM 0 comments