Teaching Mathematics: Rationale and importance

تاريخ الاستلام:18/03/2020 تاريخ القبول:15/12/2020

Abstract

This article is an attempt to answer the question:  why teach and study mathematics?

In an epistemological study pertaining to the teaching of Maths and its rationale and importance, we will focus on four aspects:  (1) Importance of Maths and their exactness, clarity, logical basis, and their fertile liability to enrichment despite their immateriality.  (2) Anthology: Maths are in deniably a part of Humanity’s heritage and do represent the best Mankind has ever created. They not only are a part of everybody’s culture but are a part of humanity’s identity as well. (3) In practice/ reality: Maths are essential in shaping our mental skills of reasoning and thinking, creativity, expressing free unbiased thinking. Therefore, they play an important role in coherent sensible thinking characterized by precision and conciseness. They also are essential in professional and social life and are embedded in our behaviour. They are the source of knowledge and science. (4 ) Epistemology: Being the language for many sciences, Maths are cross-road for these sciences’ independence and development. The factors that will be analysed in this article, answer the question that will urge both the teachers and the learners of maths, to reconsider and rehabilitate mathematics and their practices in daily life; be it mental, professional or life-sustaining.