More Vignettes

This is a continuation of my series of stories about my early interests in mathematics. See also Multiplication Tables.

In fifth grade we learned math by watching a series of shows on laser disc (the dinner-plate-size precursors to DVDs). There was something that we learned, and I don’t remember what it was, but I thought “how stupid. Why do I need to know this?” A few weeks later I found out that we needed it as one piece to something else we were learning that did make sense. I wished then that it had been explained why we were learning what we were learning.

Sometime in middle school I was introduced to matrices. They seemed ugly, awkward and un-useful. My how I’ve changed my opinion since then! Matrices, next to numbers themselves, have to be the most useful concept developed in mathematics. What could be more elegant than going from a set of linear equations to a single matrix equation?

By the end of middle school, I guess that the system was wining. My interest in mathematics was at an all time low and I was getting D’s in my math classes.

Mathematics

I stumbled on a picture book about math at the library that looks promising. My son had just headed off to find a book in the Juvenile-nonfiction:zoology section and I noticed that the next aisle over included math. I first picked up a book with arithmetic word problems (booooring!). Next I picked up Mathematics by Irving Adler, illustrated by Ron Miller. Here is an excerpt from the front flap:

Although mathematics developed along with civilization to help people solve practical problems, many people found that numbers and shapes were fascinating in themselves and began to play with them for pleasure.

and another from the book itself

Mathematics is not a finished subject. . . Sometimes a new branch of mathematics is created to satisfy the curiosity of the mathematician. Then a use for it may be found later.

See my review on Goodreads.