Mathematics and the unaware

Yes, I admit. Sometimes, when I go to my complex analysis class where my teacher speaks of functions of imaginary numbers, integrating these, differentiating these, finding the limits of these, and so on, sigh, thoughts of uncertainty light up inside my head: where the hell can I apply these in REAL life?!?!?

Sadly most of us think that higher mathematics (complex analysis isn't even higher math!?) is uselesss.... Well, here is a message from the UP President Emerlinda Roman (this is addressed to the Mathematical Society of the Philippines last May 23, 2008 during the opening ceremony its annual convention). Attached is a scanned copy of the message.

University of the Philippines

Message

For many students, mathematics is the most dreaded of college subjects. This may be due, not only to the lack of competent teachers, overpopulated classrooms, substandard instruction and a flawed system of education, but also to an attitude that fails to realize its basic importance.

In an age where handheld computers are readily available, it is easy for students to miscalculate the value of learning algebra or even basic arithmetic. Evolutionary needs and our natural preference for what is convenient have also conditioned our minds to prefer knowledge that is applicable to the real world, over knowledge which seems purely conceptual. Young people seldom realize that many of today’s useful technological advances were made possible through mathematical concepts that were considered abstract or useless in the past. Nor are they aware that recent studies done on centuries-old theories have produced breakthroughs of enormous benefits and have provided the necessary theoretical underpinning for the scientific processes behind the comforts we enjoy today.

On this occasion of MSP’s 35^th anniversary as the country’s largest professional organization of math educators and enthusiasts, I hope that you will continue to pursue meaningful endeavors that show the importance of math – not just as a body of knowledge, but as a practical tool that may spell the difference between a country’s growth and stagnation. I commend your efforts in continuously developing creative teaching methods and classroom activities that will help students overcome their fear of the subject and impart to them a genuine appreciation and love of number.

These students whose eyes you have opened to an entirely new world of possibilities may not all end up as mathematicians. But whether as behavioral therapists teaching special children basic math skills, or as lawmakers drawing up a more equitable taxation formula, we see the relevance of their math training in the various roles and responsibilities they carry out in our communities – responsibilities vital to our life as a nation.

Congratulations.

Emerlinda R. Roman, Ph.D.

President

University of the Philippines System