This assignment is due Monday evening, February 13th (midnight).
Assignment. Choose ONE of the following two topics. Write a reply to this post, responding to the topic. Begin by telling us which topic you chose. (1-2 paragraphs). Be sure to include your name in the post, and which section you are in (so I can give you credit).
Topics.
- Sometimes people can recognize a time when their opinion of math dramatically changed either for the better or the worse. If such a time happened for you or for a friend of yours, tell about it. If you did not experience such a thing, tell about your steady feelings about mathematics.
- If you were in a lengthy conversation about math or math class with friends of yours, what would be some of the things you would say? What would be some of the things they would say?
Extra Credit. For extra credit, write a response to one of your classmates’ comments. Do you feel the same? Did you learn anything? Do you have any advice?
Why are we doing this, anyway? Having progressed this far in your school career, you are familiar with many of the tools for learning math: studying, practicing by doing problems, asking questions when you need help, and so on. I’d like to talk about two activities that may NOT seem related to learning math — but research shows that engaging in these activities can dramatically increase the amount that you learn, and change the way you learn it. The first is writing — something not typically associated with mathematics. When you express your ideas in words, it forces you to think them through very carefully, detail by detail. A great way to check and see if you really understand something is to try to explain it to someone else, either out loud or in writing. Example: if you know how to add fractions, try teaching it someone who doesn’t know how. The second is called metacognition, or “thinking about thinking.” This happens when you think about what was going on in your head while you were working on a problem or trying to learn a new idea. What train of thought did you follow? Where did you get stuck, and what did you do next? What were you feeling at the time? and so on. Combining writing and metacognition can be a tremendously powerful tool in identifying the ways we learn best and the ways we make mistakes, and learning to improve. However, like any skill, it takes practice. That’s why we’re getting started by writing a little about our past experiences with mathematics.
A. Aguirre : MAT 1575-6638 , M/W , 4-5:40pm
Mathematics is an extremely important field of study necessary for describing all things that happen in our universe. Mathematics can be very rugged or take on more elegant forms; either way mathematics severs us as a way to understand how and why things happen. Currently, I am studying electrical engineering and very curious about the field of remote sensing (gathering information about a person, place, or thing without approximate contact). Accordingly, math has become a corner stone to my progression within the scientific community. I should mention that I have always appreciated math and have often wondered why many others do not feel the same. The reasoning behind my questioning is the fact that math is everywhere. Math has played a major role in almost all (if not all) sports, recreation, jobs, religion, politics, space travel, and a long list of others. The point being, how can you not love and want to learn as much math as possible? After all, IT is the very reason you can read this blog post, the reason your iPhone and iPod work so well, and has been the very thread by which people’s lives hang every day. Like it or love it but you can never leave it, math.
Tell me what you think about math!?!?!
i agree with your opinion, and for those people who don’t appreciate math, they will always find difficulties not only something in particular that math studies, but in every filed in their life.
Very interesting post, Tony. I’m currently in Telecommunication Engineering Technology and math is basically everywhere. I do believe it is the foundation of almost everything from science to medicine to technology.
I agree with your opinion Tony because math is fundamental to our everyday life.
I am sorry, for all thoes wondering, Peterpun is (Den)nis Trotter Jr. I agree with Tony Aguirre, math is special. After you grit your teeth, work through and understand some problems, you get a special felling that says Wow; I understand and it makes you want more. To appreciate math you must get pass the false fear that may make you say I can’t do it. It’s like learning to ride a bike; you must get over the feeling of falling and catch your balance, once you do you can glide like a bird in flight.
I love the bike analogy Den! Whether any particular person has actually taken a formal/informal math lesson…their brain inherently understands highly complex math. For instance, when someone is driving a car they have to simultaneously process an overwhelming amount of information (i.e. distances, speeds, object identification, self-awareness, colors, time, the radio, ect…).
Does this sound like INTEGRATION and/or DIFFERENTIATION to anyone?!?!?!??
Like you said Den, “…it’s like riding a bike”. We know how to use math, we just don’t consciously know that we know sometimes, until we find our self in a math class learning it and saying to ourselves, “Oh, so that’s how you do it”, as if we should have known, because we do know inherently.
Koonhoi Xie : MAT 1575-6638 , M/W , 4-5:40pm
While it is true that math is the sole foundation of our daily inventions, many do not take heed to the idea that math created our luxuries. After all, much of the math we learn in our classrooms are just made up of complex equations.
Drake Li MAT 1575-6638 , M/W , 4-5:40pm
I definitely agree with you there Tony. Being a person who likes bikes, I can say that math also has a major role in bicycles. Bike geometry is crucial if you’re into racing so that you can bike efficiently while saving energy. It is also an important factor for aerodynamics to prevent you from slowing down due to headwinds.
I agree with your post 100%. I feel that people that don’t understand math don’t take the time to understand it. Math takes more then just reading to understand it. It takes practice, practice, and practice in order to perfect it. If you give math a shot, it will reward you in almost every area of your life.
good post
Do you prefer english or math? just taking a survey
Endri Domi: Mat 1575 6637
I would like to write about the first topic about some of my experiences about math.
First of all, anything that you study is a plus for you and it makes you smarter. I have a story to tell from my experience that being good at math helped me a lot. I used to work at a supermarket as a manager and all you had to work with, was counting money. I’ve had people coming in and returning something and getting something else, so i had to do the math of how much change i had to give back. We also had offers like giving 5% off their purchase, and sometime my cashiers forgot to do that, so when they came back i had to do it without a calculator which was upstairs in the office, just simple math. Besides this work that i did, math helps you also in real life. In life you have to take risks for almost everything, and math is a powerful tool where you can calculate the odds and see if something is worth it or if its a good idea or not.But the most important aspect of math, is keeping your own budget and knowing how to manage it, and this can be simply done by understanding the common principles of math. Math is found everywhere we go, that is why we need math.
hey man i truly agree with you. It’s always good to know math wherever you go in life. I had issues when i had to return something and they didn’t give me the proper amount of money back.
Bettyann John-George: Mat 1575-6638
My opinion on math changed when I took pre-cal. I did not like math but then I became a student who got excited after learning something new. It help me to develop technical competence and to appreciate the beauty of the subject. Math has enhance my understanding and provide insights to solving other exercises.
George Polya says, ” A great discovery solves a great problem but there is a grain of discovery in the solution of any problem. Your problem may be modest; but if it challenges your curiosity and brings into play your inventive faculties, and if you solve it by your own means, you may experience the tension and enjoy the triumph of discovery.”
I am a fifty year old student with a associates degree in Electronic Engineering Technology, obtained in February of 1983. I had to pass calculas 1’2 , and differential equations, I did well in cal. 1 but not so well in cal. 2. So now I am taking cal. 2 again, for some reason I fell I will do well in this class. I’m for the first time doing well in all my classes including english (“A” student), which I couldn’t do before. My attitude has changed since I have returned to school for Telecommunications Engineering. I am taking things much more seriously especially since I am being sponcered and I am due to receive a scholarship. I am able to concentrate and pick up details that I couldn’t when I was younger. It has givin me a need attitude which says I will do.
When I first applied to this school three semesters ago, then didn’t have my record and made me take pre-calculas, it gave me a new insight to all math and may have been the best thing for me. Now I have jumped to cal. 2 because I had fortyfive credits transfered from 1983, including cal. 1. In the first two weeks of this semester the Professor has helped me to a better understanding of calculas and I am remembering a lot as well as learning new things. As he has stated cal. 2 is just the opposite of cal. 1. He is teaching so well that I might not have to sit in on cal. 1 class as he thinks I should. I now appreciate and understand the uses of mathematics more than ever.
…after reading all of your post one old saying come to mind, “where there is a will there is a way”. In my experience and for so many others that I have been fortunate enough to observe…this could never be a more true statement in my eyes!!! Always keep your head up and never let go.
I’ve talked to you enough to know that only you can get in your way, do it big SIR!
I’ve spoken to you enough to understand your situation. I do agree with your appreciation for Math & also admire the ambition you still have up to this day & age.
One advice I can give you is to NOT misspell the word “Calculus.” You do want to make Prof. Reitz feel good, remember?
Just teasing btw.
You have a good spirit! Keep it up! Only a few men at our age can return to school. I know that it is not easy.
I’ve never been good in math since high school. Therefore I didn’t like math that much. To me, it was just something they wanted us to do just to do it. Most of my math teachers were almost the same. Always giving us a bunch of home works, and never worrying about us ( or me ) understanding the material. My last calculus I teacher was different; he really cared about us learning something in class. He’d go step by step to make sure at least; everyone gets the idea of the topic. That was my first time to get an A in math. Since then, my full view about math has changed. Now it’s much more exciting to me to lean math.
That was how I felt when I was i high school. The professors just gave us work and didn’t care whether we understood the topic or not. When the students failed, they didn’t even seem to care and moved on to the next topic. I find that college is different though and I have been doing well in my math classes.
If only more high-school teachers were like that !-
In high school i had some pretty bad math teachers, they cannot be compared to today’s!
math 1575/6638
I’ve never been good in math since high school. Therefore I didn’t like math that much. To me, it was just something they wanted us to do just to do it. Most of my math teachers were almost the same. Always giving us a bunch of home works, and never worrying about us ( or me ) understanding the material. My last calculus I teacher was different; he really cared about us learning something in class. He’d go step by step to make sure at least; everyone gets the idea of the topic. That was my first time to get an A in math. Since then, my full view about math has changed. Now it’s much more exciting to me to lean math.
i agree with you. Math teachers in high school never cared about the class or students in the class. keep that energy up and keep pushing yourself onward.
Thanx, one should always keep that up.
I’ve never been good in math since junior high school. I didn’t like math before because I didn’t understand the material. While I understant the material, I love to do the problems.
I am in the electical engineering technolgy program and knowing a bit of math is essential to do well in my major. Math is really important in general, whether someone wants to be a nurse, chemist, engineer,etc. Its very important to have a good professor as well. Some professor cant really explain well or dont have the patiences for questions that the student have.
I took electrical in High school and math is really important. I didn’t really pay attention and when all the calculations came up I just choked… I also agree that having a good professor is essential, I have had a hard time with math lately and honestly I thought it was me. But it turns out that some professors just plain suck at teaching math…
MAT 1575-6638
Math was always difficult at first but after practicing a couple problems, one gains more experience. Although the level of mathematics increases so does its difficulty. I used to be great at it and always enjoyed the challenge but now in my educational career I view it to be overwhelming. There are so many formulas and rules to carry over by memory from past lesson that it needs repetition which consumes patience. We learn, forget, and relearn to try to keep up with the material.
sorry for the typos ***posts & ***comes
David Chen MAT 1575-6638 , M/W , 4-5:40pm
Mathematics is an extremely important because it is the most widely used subject in the world. Every career uses some sort of math. More importantly, doing math helps the mind to reason and organized complicated situations or problems into clear, simple, and logical steps. Thus, as students learn more math, the rationale is that their minds will eventually develop into logical entity that can resolve any difficult situations. I am studying computer engineering, I have always like math but most people hated math.
Well said Chen, I wish everyone can view math as a function of life.
Anthony Valdez
Mat 1575 – 6637
Topic #1
My experience with mathematics has been a roller coaster ride to say the least. I’ll admit I was not the best student in many of my math classes prior to college. I often refused to learn new topics because of the many challenges it might bring to the table. Now in college I have a new view of math and I seem to be embracing it because it will come in handy for my future career. I think it has taught me discipline and I believe it really has helped me develop a certain style of thought processing. So essentially developing your mathematical skills can ultimately make some aspects of life much easier.
Jeremy Li
Mat 1575 6637
In my experience with math, i really enjoyed doing math. Math is the only subject i am good in. Every other subjects that came along, i didn’t do that well. When it came to Math, i really enjoyed it and understood it. I believe that the all my professors are here to teach me something good. My professors are here to help me 100% of the way. Math is my all time favorite subject. As of now, I have no declared a major yet. I am leaning my major towards applied math though. Math is just an amazing subject and so abstract. Math makes me think OUTSIDE the box.
I agree with you on this. I also have to say we have a bit of a similar situation. Math is also my favorite subject, and probably the one I’m mostly good at it. In a way, it does make people “think outside of the box”, because there are so many ideas surrounding it. And I 100% agree with you when you say math is an amazing subject, because it truly is.
Would it be wrong to assume that you dont like to write compare and constrast essays? just trying to take a survey
Melissa Miltz
MAT 1575. Section #6638. M/W
Sometimes people can recognize a time when their opinion of math dramatically changed either for the better or the worse. Personally speaking, during most of my elementary, and all through my high school career, I found math, and most related subjects to be confusing, complicated, inconsistent, and just not worth the trouble. Math had always been very difficult for me to grasp, especially when topics became more abstract, and visualizing them became nearly impossible for me. Furthermore, none of my math teaches throughout high school were able or willing to get to the core of the confusion regarding the fundamentals of math (which I was pretty shaky on). So, the confusion and haziness just kept building. These factors acted as deterrents, and eventually caused an intense aversion to all branches of math subjects, so much so, that I had serious hesitation to even consider attending college after high school, as I knew I would be required to take some kind of advanced math.
I suppose my opinion changed about three years ago, when I realized that I did want to attend college to study Industrial Design, which would certainly require studying math, and lots of it. At this stage in my college career, I’ve taken three college-level math classes. I can’t say I’ve fallen in love with math by any means, but I suppose you can say that math and I have a love/hate relationship. I can better appreciate it now, because I understand why I need to learn it, and how it really applies to our universe.
I agree with your comment, its kind of the same for me !
Keyla Arana MAT 1575-6638 , M/W , 4-5:40pm
Response to Question 1:
I can honestly say that I love math. I have loved math ever since 6th grade, only because I never knew that I was good at it till then. What I love about math is the fact that it is used in our everyday lives. There is not one day where you haven’t used it. Whether it’s doing a huge math problem, measuring something or just counting money, math is all around us, and we need it. To me, math is fun because it is challenging. I don’t know about anyone else, but I speak for myself when I say that challenges are fun. I think solving math problems are like solving a puzzle. Just like a puzzle, you want to know the answer, and it is rewarding when in the end, you finally find the answer. And yes, at times, well most of the time, math can seem confusing. And at that moment when it seems confusing, you just feel like giving up on math. But when you finally begin to grasp and understand it, you don’t feel like giving up anymore. This has happened to me countless of times, and regardless of all the the confusion and frustration I have went through because of math, I still choose to stick by it, and enjoy it’s existence.
Sorry for the mistake, I am in the T & Th class, not M & W.
Amara Shafi Math 1575 6638
The topic I have chosen is the first one for several reasons. I feel throughout the years, math was either the subject I loved or the subject I hated and this has been going on for several years. To me, I think math is super unique and different from all your other subjects but I also feel that you need to have a good mentor to help guide you. Math can be very intimidating personally, I had times where I would sit in my math class thinking why am I even here? But other times where I was lucky enough to have a good teacher where I would sit with a smile on my face, happy to learn something even if I already knew it. I guess I don’t really know if I truly love math or not, but I can say it’s always a challenge so that keeps it very interesting.
I know what you mean. When I do understand something without any struggle I almost wonder how I ever find math so challenging, but when I’m confused or intimidated to try, it’s really disheartening. It’s very much a roller-coaster ride.
Most recently, a friend and I were discussing the influence professors have on students excelling in a course. The debate arose when that friend proposed that the teacher is irrelevant as the student, if nothing else, can always rely on the textbook to provide clear thorough explanations and sample problems. While certainly the primary factor on whether or not a student will excell in a given course, math or otherwise, is the student, one really can not downplay the importance of a great instructor.
Speaking from experience, taking MAT1475 two semesters ago was a nightmare. My professor, albeit an obviously intelligent man, didn’t have the talent for relaying his knowledge to the class in a manner that was simple and efficient. It was primarily due to the language barrier, in my opinion, as he moved quickly and spoke with a very heavy accent. By the second exam, a third of the class had withdrawn. I decided I’d stick it out since I always had the textbook to rely on, but it proved to be very difficult. As a full time student with outside obligations, it’s very difficult to find the extra time to devote to a class when you have three others to keep up with. The advantage of having someone who already knows the material and can clearly and patiently explain it in layman’s terms is simply unrivaled by any book. Also, with books, there’s no oppurtunity to ask questions or to request rewording for the sake of clarity.
In short, if one had major difficulties understanding a professor for whatever reason, could he or she get by with just the text? Sure. But that isn’t to say that the professor one has is irrelevant to the student’s success. Absolutely not.
Khoreece Mendoza
MAT1575 M/W 4PM
This was interesting to read because i have been in situations where i’ve had to deal with professor’s accent and etc….. BUT you really have to apply yourself which includes getting tutoring and seeking outside help if necessary.
Gurpreet Singh : MAT 1575-6637 , T/Th , 4-5:40pm
I love Math and it has always been my best subject ever since i came to this country. It’s been my best subject in middle and high school and also college. i don’t know if i’m a fast learner or my memory is excellent but i could answer any math problem for any math topics that i’ve learned in my life. My favorite topic in math is derivatives and anti-derivatives. I learned Calculus in high school and it’s been my favorite math subject ever since because i find it the easiest of all the math’s that i’ve learned so far such as Trig and geometry. I always had trouble in Trig and geometry and i would need tutoring every week for every topic in it but at the end of the semester i clearly understood the subject. In calc i just understood everything in class and didn’t really need much tutoring. Calc was much more simpler than trig and geometry.
Math did not only help me with Math, it helped me with other subjects such as Chemistry, Physics and many of my major subjects, Computer science, because most of the other subjects use measurements, formulas and graphs/charts. My major, computer science require me to learn a lots of math, so i won’t be done with math any soon. Math is great and it was always fun solving problems for me.
I agree with you because math is a really a good subject and if it is require in major then we have to do it. If you are really good in math then you can solve real life problem just in mind.
i also agree with you guys. Math is kind of fun though. I love to solve some problems that are challenging, does’t matter I will be able to solve it or not and gives me lots of creative ideas and this kind of problem open our mind. Math also help us to find out different way to to solve problems and makes our life much easier.
Zekeba Browne – MAT 1575 Section 6638 M/W 4:00 pm – 5:40 pm
Math has always been a great subject for me to study throughout my years growing up in grade school. There was even a point of time where I wished Math was the ONLY subject that ever existed. I’ve always had to work my tail off with the other subjects, but breezed easily by with Math.
It wasn’t until I started Math B (trigonometry) in my latter years in high school, where my outlook for Math changed for the worse. I began to dislike it more as I advanced to Calculus & even found myself struggling often with it now. One aspect does remain though, my appreciation for it stayed. I could of easily took the easy way out & study a major that had very little to deal with Math, but Computer Science was the field I wanted & the field I want to pursue no matter how much Math is involved.
Igor M. Mon – Wed 4-5:40pm 1675 6638
Topic 1.
All my life I was very curious about how things actually work. Starting from physical world and ending with spirituality. I decided to become a telecommunications engineer because i love genuine creation and working with precious numbers. Neatly writing them in my notebook, and especially coming up with the right answers after hard mental work and additionally feeling like a winner. Unlike language or history, mathematics is very solid and precise field of study where even slight correct adjustments would become a Law or Theory, and will be recorded and used until in some cases it is be proven wrong. I fell in love with math when i finished Calculus I, because I finally could apply formulas and functions to real life situations like calculations of rates of change, speed, velocity, acceleration of objects in various conditions and much more. Math is very related to logic, and I believe that advanced logical thinking is the best guide in any expected or unexpected situation that will bring positive consequence.
In other words, our punishing and rewarding life can be rephrased as – Timed, Inevitable Risk State . Curiosity might kill the “cat”, but in many cases it just makes him smarter, stronger, wiser and more independent. “Cat” is given a physical life, and by being alive hes awarded with a number of choices as limit approaches infinity. Nevertheless, unlike amount of choices, cat has limited amount of time to use them. Therefore, now it’s up to him to decide how many of those choices he would like to make or need to use until the sand-clock of his physical existence trickles the sand to the lower bulb.
Theo Zeng – M, W – MAT1575 – Section 6638
Topic 1.
When I was a child back then, math has been a fun subject to learn and study. The exercises we do in class really help me improve my mind and cognition ability. Later on as I start to get older my love for math starts to dwindle away. It’s like another subject to me now. Even so, I chose to be in a major where math is one of the main theory behind it. It made me appreciate math more now because it really is important for me 0r anyone to know and learn math in their life. It’s a big part.
I agree with you. It is very important, but I feel that knowing basic math is good enough, but why do we have to study up to Cal and so on? Some of the majors and jobs don’t even require knowing all these math, but the college is still forcing students to take those extra math classes. We end up losing appreciation for math. This is not a question for you, its just something that came to my mind after reading this comment.
i would disagree. One of the main reasons you take different classes is to built that new intellectual stem into something different .It can help you see things differently and you can apply the new intellectual terrain to it. Studying it to it’s best use is just to me completing it… That’s one of the reasons why we are all smart and all stupid !!
Tollisha Thompson Mat 1575-6637
The chose topic 1.
During high school I hated math. I didn’t see the point of algebra. I didn’t understand why I need to learn about matrix. Maybe I felt this way because I didn’t do well in math.
Now that I’m in college and majoring in Telecommunication Engineering Technology, I understand why I need algebra and all the other math topics. I use matrix is solve equations that deal with circuits in my Circuit Analysis class. Math is used in Physics and almost all of the topics that I have done in school. I have been doing very well in math so far (A’s and B’s), and although it’s still not my favorite subject, I do not hate it anymore and I do have a strong appreciation for the subject.
Natasha Sarlim (1575-6637) tue/thu 4-5:45pm
My outlook on mathematics is that its in our daily life. Most people do not understand how important it is and that we are surrounded by it everywhere we go. Math is befitting in so many ways, it’s the thing that unites the whole world. For instincts technology, objects built, buildings, houses, ect, was invented by using mathematics. Being that I got so far with it, I’ve noticed when anything needs fixing or having to figuring out something that’s complicated, my thoughts are more logic. I like to be in a situation where anything can go wrong and you have to analyze every step to get the right answer.
Topic 1.
I have always liked doing math. I found it to be the most exciting topic of all. I always looked at it as a puzzle, where you have to understand, perceive and think sharply to actually resolve it. This also requires a lot of practice and tolerance. My desire of leaning math was first stopped when I took cal I at City tech. I felt that my aptitude of learning math was limited up to pre cal. I don’t know why, I couldn’t understand and resolve any Cal I math problems. I was very disappointed at myself, and persuaded myself to believe that math is just not for me. So I decided to drop Cal I. After a semester later, I took Cal I again, because of my major, and I learned that all these time my assumption about math was totally incorrect. It wasn’t as challenging as I thought, and I was able to resolve new problems. I have realized that, it wasn’t my fault that I couldn’t understand math, it was the professor who I had trouble understanding. He didn’t take enough time to go over the basic part of new problems, which brought confusion in me. I actually passed the class with A-. All these taught me that you should never give up on math, because you will never figure out how much your brain can take, so don’t just assume.
like the puzzle metaphor and how you tried to encourage people to never give up on math at the end. 🙂
by the way, you forgot to put your name.
Thanks.. Taslima Akther. mon/wed 4-5:40
When I was in high school I was never really interested in any kind of math. My mentality was “Why am I learning this I’m never going to use this…” Although this is true, sometimes a lot of the math can be applied to different things. My major is mechanical engineering and I always use math, so much that I ended up realizing math has more applications than I originally anticipated. Just the small tasks such as finding how much liquid a cone can hold is made easier. However I find it difficult at times to remember or even apply the correct math for different situations.
Although I did discover the usefulness of math in college I still feel that most of the math being learned is pointless. I figured at least half of the math I’m learning will not be used and forgotten in less than a year’s time. With all the programs I use in engineering classes memorizing the math is obsolete, I can have a program calculate faster and more accurately than I ever can by hand.
Kedeshia Math 1575 6637
I chose the first topic. My opinion of math has changed dramatically since highschool and since the first math class i have taken at Citytech which is Math 1175. I’ve realized that math is just about practice and that is your way of studying. The more problems you do is the more better you will get acquainted with the topic. I have never been good at math but i am always willing to go to tutoring and getting help. For me, I have to get a good professor who is patient and likes to teach the subject. This is why i have made it to Calc 2, which will be my last math class !
Lance H. Math 1575 Section 6637 Tues/Thurs.
Math has always been my weakest subject. Since High School, I’ve always seem to struggle with the subject, partially due to the pressure and importance math has in my life. In the past, I’ve had really bad professors, none that I can recall, kept my attention nor make me want to continue. However, through time, I’ve learn to take math more seriously. I’ve never imagined myself taking a calculus course. Despite some difficulty, I do get a sense of comfort knowing that I’m able to solve certain equations giving to me applying previous knowledge. Overall, I do like a challenge and math has always been that challenge for me.
Sandro Rivas MAT1575 – 6638
Topic #1
I agree with most students. Math is necessary for even the most basic of life functions. Whether you’re buying groceries, determining a budget for yourself, calculating interest on investments, or carrying out infinite of other life tasks, math will somehow be involved. This is a fact I don’t particularly like to admit. However, City Tech made me realize that the study and application of mathematics has led to the invention of almost everything we see and use today. The building we live, work, and play in are constructed to specifications based on mathematics. The technology we use today is all developed with the fundamentals of mathematics. Without mathematics our lives would be very different.
As a student math has only gotten harder throughout the semesters. One must put more time and practice in order to solve the problem. The study of math is the study of a procedure and not a set of facts or opinion. The formulas in Math can be challenging and confusing at times which makes it difficult to get the right answer. This is the reason that some people not only struggle with this subject but loose interest in progressing their Math capabilities. Therefore, the best recommendation for those students is preparation and time. Even, if that means looking for help because everyone has a different way of learning.
Christina Yeung Math 1575 section 6637 — T/Th 4:05 P.M.-5:45 P.M.
Topic 1
Math has always been interesting to me but never knew what it will do for me in the future. So I’ve paid very little attention to. I’ve always thought , ” Hey, we’ll never use this in any jobs later on.” I was wrong. Someone once told me that math is not only about adding, subtracting, multiplications, divisions, and etc. Math is a way to help our minds to understand patterns in life. It could be how fast you can put the picture together when someone is talking to you. –How fast can we understand something. How fast can we figure things out.– Problem solving. My mom used to tell me that mathematicians are very smart because they can solve problems quickly. The best ones are those that could find their way out and walk backwards to where they started from. –Solving a math problem and being able to work backwards to where the start of the problem was.
I am currently a field engineer in heavy construction. We use math every single day. I was once told by one of my professors that the difference between engineers and doctors are, doctors save lives one at a time and engineers saves many lives all at once. I can’t imagine how I can live life without math. We can’t save lives without math…
I really like this message. What your friend said about math is incredibly applicable and I think that may have been one of my favorite statements. As well as what your mother said. A lot of people have that initial attitude “I won’t ever use this” but you seem to have gone past it. I agree wholeheartedly.
Joshua Ruiz; MAT 1575-6638
Topic 1 (feelings about math)
I have always loved mathematics. Since I started kindergarten, it has always been my strongest subject and the most interesting. I loved how it worked. How every problem seemed to be some sort of logic based puzzle. There has never been a point in which I did not enjoy solving problems. I have always tried to push myself and do advanced work and learn alternate methods. My interest (and laziness) led me to develop the ability to perform most calculations and checks in my head. As well I can also remember most formulas in a single glance or use for long periods of time. My fondness of math enabled me to excel in the area, and I due to that I doubt that my feelings will ever waver. Even in the sometimes difficult fields of Calculus.
Having the intuition of math is a great way to succeed.
you must have a gift lol
Jigme Woser
Math 1575-6637
Looking back on how my view of mathematics changed from my adolescence to the present. I have realized my prospection of mathematics has changed drastically and it has all been because of the unique yet persistent techniques my teachers have used in attempt to demonstrate mathematics in a way that I can comprehend. I was able to overcome my past struggles with mathematics do to my determination to succeed. Through these elements, my once negative interpretation of math has turned into a more optimistic look into mathematics. During my high school career, math has always been a challenging subject to grasp. It was when I began to fail my tests, did I realize how much I had to get a good foundation on mathematics rather than accept the continuous failing grades.
Because of this issue, I had to constantly practice and attend tutoring until my grades improved. Soon after, I began to eat, drink and sleep mathematics. My test scores improved and I still kept practicing; this was not because I to, but because I began to love math. The challenge of mathematics kept my curiosity intrigued and the encouragement from my math instructors kept my interest in math steady. Whenever I had a question or concern, my teacher was there to clarify it all.
Through these events, my view on math has changed from something I loathe, to something I absolutely love. Math is something I embrace holistically and because of my past experiences, I know how to interpret and understand mathematics to my best knowledge.
Bibin Koshy;Math 1575 section 6637
Topic 1
My life during my younger years weren’t as easy and fun as someone might think to be. Growing up in a family that took their education very seriously, I was always expected to get perfect grades on every tests or exam I took. And because of those expectations, I was always forced and abused into learning everything they wanted me to learn, especially the subject, math. Moreover, because of their constant naggings, I came to a point where I became disobedient toward my teachers, relatives and the duties as a student. However, it was not till I step foot in my fifth grade class, I learned through the efforts of my math teacher, no matter what people say, whether your family or your friends, if you don’t learn what you have to, you alone is going to suffer. It was from those very words of my math teacher and the efforts he took for me to understand not just one subject called math, but life as a whole, that I am grateful to math and the importance of education.
Jiarong Mei Course 6638
Topic 1
Well throughout my adolescent to teenage life, I have always been in either of two extremes for mathematics, I either hated it or I loved it. The times when I have hated it was when I didn’t understand the logic and concept behind the reason certain theorems are true… moments like those were when I had to stress myself to memorize the theorems and formulas and create twisted logic to cheat myself to understand. However times when I actually understood it I really loved math and would go on hours doing math problems and enjoying every minute of it., it was rather fulfilling. I really enjoyed the moments when at first the concepts behind math were difficult, but when I came to an understanding of it, the so called “aha” moments happen and I feel like I opened my eyes to a different set of thoughts, as if there was some psychological block between my mind and the mathematics.
Now as a young adult my feelings for mathematics has changed drastically, now I try to be neutral, because I have realized the more you know, the more you realize you don’t know… As I begin to understand the logic behind math and how it relates to nature, it amazes me and, each topic that I learn doesn’t answer my questions, it only create more questions. The search for knowledge has become an endless cycle. As we search for knowledge we realize that what we know can enhance existing ideas, or it can contradict them.
I think mathematics is a common base for the universe. Math is everywhere in the world. We see numbers, equations, and formulas everyday.With some subjects in school you can say that you will never use some of the information you learn. But in math you know that you are going to use in some capacity. I am a telecommunications major and math is involved in every aspect of my studies. Without math there would be no basis for telecommunications. Math is a necessity. We need math even though some of us would like to deny it. There are just some things you can’t escape in life, and math is one of them.
Drake Li MAT 1575-6638 , M/W , 4-5:40pm
Topic 2
Math is generally a rocky subject for me. Back in high school, I had a great math teacher that all the students loved. He provided thorough explanations for each question assigned and will spend time with the students if they needed. Surprisingly, I had a great time in that class and did very well. When it was the end of the semester, it was time to choose classes for my last semester in high school and I was asked if I wanted to take pre-calculus or calculus in which I immediately replied with a firm No. What made me do this was that the students in my school were all saying how Calculus is a very hard course and that it was generally their weakest subject. But when I started my first semester in City Tech, I was given Calculus 1 and found that it wasn’t as hard as the students in my HS made it to be. What I would say to people is to not be afraid to take upon a challenge.
I probably would have done the same thing
Fengming Tan MAT 1575 section: 6637
I would like to write about the first topic.
When I was in China, my math grade was so bad. I did not pass my math test most of the times. So at that time I hated math. I thought math was the hardest class I had. After I came to US, my point of view on math was changed; it became one of my favorite classes. Math gives me confidence. It brings my GPA up. I only failed my math test for a few times. I think the ways that US teachers teach are easier to help me understand math. Now I love math, but more deeply, I realize math is basic and hard course to explore.
Adam Hussain, MAT 1575 Section 6637
From elementary school to middle school, I was always thought math was easy. But when I got to high school, math got harder for me to understand. My first semester in high school, I had a high average in algebra. The last semester in my freshmen year, my grade in algebra dropped. When I took trigonometry, I couldn’t immediately understand the math I was doing (it was hard to understand because it felt like it was very fast paced, if you didn’t understand you would be left behind); I had to look at the material I was doing a little longer. As I’m taking Calculus, I still have some difficulties but I grasp most of topics. My perspective of Math changed from being easy to a subject you have to study hard for. I never disliked math, I just dislike that I don’t have the ability to easily understand the problems like I used to have the ability to do. I like the challenge the subject Math brings to you.
C. Potter Math 1575 Tues/ Thurs Sec. 6637
My view of mathematics throughout my life has been like a sine wave. One minute I’m doing great in math and the next minute I’m failing my exams; then I would love math, then I would hate math, but one thing was always constant and that was I always RESPECTED math. I always knew the importance it had in this world and everything around us. I really came to appreciate math more when I first took Calculus and Physics; those classes showed me the real world applications of mathematics.
Math is not something I’m naturally good at, I’m naturally good at many things but math is not one them, so I guess there’s a balance there. I’m one of those people that would have to work out a problem step by step [even-though I know a shortcut] so I could avoid mistakes, get stuck, go back figure out what’s wrong and try again. Basically practice, practice, practice and work hard. Math currently is still a challenge to me, but I love challenges because when you overcome them there’s always a sense of reward/ victory. In a way math is like life because life is always going to be about overcoming challenges.
Koonhoi Xie : MAT 1575-6638 , M/W , 4-5:40pm
Topic 1.
For me, my perception on math has been a roller coaster to say the least. Early in my life, math seemed almost second nature to me. I was able to breeze through basic math problems with ease. Then, during my latter years, it all evaporated. I started to struggle & often blame others for my failure. Suddenly when i enter college & took precalculus, my perception shifted yet again. I learn that the only way to progress is to habitually practice. I still struggle till this day, but i know math won’t get any easier.
I went through the same thing too
I am Anand Rai Seeram and I chose to react to the first one because it can be factual statements. The second is controversial and is opinionated-based.
Mathematics has always play an important part in my life. I am a handy-man and can do anything in and around the home in a professional manner. I worked as an automotive technician for twenty-one years and taught the trade for two years. Mathematics will always make my life better. I am here at City-Tech to study computer engineering technology and career and technology teacher education.
My career goal is to master automotive technology and to teach it to those who are interested. I study mathematics now as I see the personal need of it and not as a basic requirement to graduate. My other mathematics classes at City-Tech will be:
– MAT-2440, MAT-2550, MAT-2580, MAT-2675, MAT-2680 and MAT-3777
Forgot! MAT-1575; Section: 6638
KARIM SALMAN: MAT 1575, M/W, 4 – 5:40pm
Topic 1.
When I was in High School, I always try to stay away from math as possible as I can because it was difficult for me and didn’t understand the concept of math. As soon as I become Mehcanical Engineering Student at City Tech College, I realized that math is an essential device that is needed throughout my curriculum. The reason is that math is everywhere; For example, math is included in physics, chemistry, engineering calculations, and fluid power. Thefore, I will continue to practice math throughout my life to solve engineering math related problems.
Mathematics has and always will be an important fact in my life. I am here at City Tech studying Mechanical Engineering and Technology, and it’s so amazing to learn or see how matematics relates to my other subjects. Moreoever, the different ways people use to solve a equation and gets the same solution. When in a mathematics class, i like to go home and do my home work. Many people might laugh, but i find that home work in any subject especially mathematic help my grade improve and the class becomes much easier.
I assure you that mathematics is also a fundamental subject, and everyone should take the time to practice. It does play an important role in any career path.
Micahel Grant MAT 1575-6638 , M/W , 4-5:40pm
Mathematics has and always will be an important fact in my life. I am here at City Tech studying Mechanical Engineering and Technology, and it’s so amazing to learn or see how matematics relates to my other subjects. Moreoever, the different ways people use to solve a equation and gets the same solution. When in a mathematics class, i like to go home and do my home work. Many people might laugh, but i find that home work in any subject especially mathematic help my grade improve and the class becomes much easier.
I assure you that mathematics is also a fundamental subject, and everyone should take the time to practice. It does play an important role in any career path.
What is Mathematics? According to science dictionary mathematics is the study of the measurement, relationship, and properties of quantities and sets, using numbers and symbols. I think in our daily life we can’t even think a second without math. Again, I use math on my previous sentences. every where you go, anything you want and any thing you want to say everywhere you have to use math. We using math every moment in our life. However, we don’t realized it. I like math more then any other subject. Also, I am good in math from my childhood. My favorite subject is math. If you ask me why? I don’t have any answer. I like math and like to think about math. I can spend hours and hours in math without taking any break. Also, I can do calculation without using calculator. I think math will give you pleasure if you understand it. I like to invite everyone to join the journey of the mathematics world. If you travel the Math world by yourself, you will enjoy more then if someone show you how to travel.
Musaib Ahmed, Math 1575, 6637
Well said, musaib. I am totally agree with you. math is also my favourite subject. I am looking forward to discuss about math with you.
Thx Jishan
i agree with you !.Some people don’t know that when they throw something to aim at a target ,they are doing mathematics already! it is everywhere
Yes, it’s ture.
MAT 1575-6638
M/W , 4-5:40pm
Mansoor Baig
Topic 1
I may not be good at math but I do love it. Some people I know sound disgusted when hearing the word math. I’m not sure if they just don’t like it or if they don’t understand how important and how much math plays a role in our daily lives. EVERYTHING in our urban lives involve math in its creation. The pavement we walk on, to the size of the coins in our pocket. Even sports involve massive amounts of math. Mathematics also improves logical understanding. Which is becoming more uncommon these days.
i just wane say not only in our urben life. it’s every where in our life.
Most of my conversations and comments about math or math class with my friends are mostly base on either how good the professor teaches, how hard of a grader he/she is or how though he/she is on the exams. But what mostly worries us is the teaching and grader parts cause even if the exams are though we can rely on the what we learn.
Mahendra Seepersaud MAT 1575-6637
Topic 1
Mathematics is often thought of as a very difficult subject to learn and is even considered a thorn in the sides for some students, whom fail to see the value of learning it. The fact is that math helps student to exercise their analytical and reasoning skills. As with anything in life it takes a lot of patience and practice to fully comprehend this subject. It is important to understand the different principles of mathematics since we see them in our everyday lives. Mathematical concepts are used in everyday activities such as while banking (reviewing finances and money growth), watching sports (ex. angles used in throwing and kicking field goals in football) and even at the grocery store (calculating sales tax and change). Another reason why it is important to learn math is because it branches off in many other areas of studies, including Physics, Business, Architecture and Electronics. The reality is that its imperative that we comprehend this subject since its applications can be seen in almost every other area of study.
Jishan Biswas. MAT 1575, sec 6638 :
My major is Electrical Engineering Technology. In order to do well in this major, working out in math is really important for me. Not only in our educational life but also in our practical life we apply mathematics in every moment of our life. Math is my favourite subject since my childhood. but, some of the students claim that math is a difficult subject. Sometime it happens because they are not paying attention to the subject or sometime it happens because some professors are not that much helpful to the student. I also think that, doing a lot of maths help us to develop our creativity. Therefore, instead of runnig away from difficult and thoughtfull math probles, we should try to slove the problem by using our intelligence.
I agree with your statement when students claim they dont like math, but sometimes its not the course or professor. The students sometimes have a hard time understand the rules and concepts of math. Thats why therefore they might claim that they dont like it
KARIM SALMAN: MAT 1575, M/W, 4 – 5:40pm
I agree that ” Somtimes it happens because they are not paying attention to the subject” When I was in High School, my mind was full of distraction from work, and other activities while professor were explaning math in class.
i am totally agree with your quote which you write in the top..
” Doing a lot of math help us to develop our creativity.” and “instead of running away from difficult and thoughtfull math problems, we should try to solve the problem by using our intelligence.”
the more we can do the math the more we can learn or know about the math ..or technology and science.
also if we can’t solve any math question, instead of running away from this we have to try our best to solve the problem. instead of running away from the problem which we cant solve we ask for other people help who know about math more then me.
Prosenjit Das. MAT-1575, Sec 6638.
I completely agree with you jishan. My background with the math class always been good but, sometimes it just gets harder. Also, as you have mentioned its either students students fault that don’t pay attention in class or may be the professors because they are not much helpful. Everybody should pay attention in class even if the subject is little boring. And, again Math is hard, not boring but interesting.
Jishan i like your last line “instead of runnig away from difficult and thoughtfull math probles, we should try to slove the problem by using our intelligence.” yes, we should use our brain to slove math. which will give us a change to improve our math skills.
Jamal Stovall MAT 1575 Sect. 6637 T/TH 4:05-5:45
Topic 1
My outlook on math changed dramatically by my community. It is extremely disheartening to me to see other minorities struggle in math. It is a concept that has struck fear in not only my heart, but by the hearts of my peers. How this stigma was created is beyond me. After given an opportunity to work with the Peer Led Team Learning here in City Tech, I was not only able to overcome my dislike for math, but I was given an opportunity to help my peers.
Math is very time consuming but the feeling it gives when I finally understand a concept is very satisfying. Here’s to a semester of sleepless nights and frustrating afternoons.
I also think the more time it takes to study the topic in math the more satisfaction you get!
I really think this is what most students who are strongly struggling with math need to hear right now. How somebody who was just like them, showing lack of interest in that subject, is really happy now to express his positive feeling on how it brings him satisfaction after you decide to put some work into it and you end up understand all the weirdness the professor was talking about since the beginning.
Math is arguably the most demanding subject for many students, including myself. A futile attempt to understand math at times can be extremely frustrating, but the effort we invest to overcome with trail & error will be rewarding in the end. Cheers to a semester of restless nights.
MAT 1575 / 6638
Mathematics is one subject that everyone has to take throughout his/her lifetime. Some like math and some try to stay away from it but somehow end up having it as a class. Simple math is used in everyday life but there are certain math levels one may not want to take. I personally am not a person who is good in math. Up until grade 7 I somehow managed to get through the years. From grade 8 to present I have always had difficulty solving hard problems but since the courses are required I try my level best. I started hating math ever since I started taking Math B in 12th grade and then when I came into college I had to take Calculus 1. Calculus 1 was the hardest math course I have ever taken; even harder than Math B. I somehow through tutoring and extra credits passed the class and in my second 7th semester of college I found out I had to take Calculus 2 in order to graduate and it has been my biggest nightmare since. I am going to try my level hard to pass this course with at least a C or higher if I can.
I believe you will do just fine its all about dedicating yourself and asking questions. There really great tutors on Friday in the 7th floor math lab. I have gone to them before and they are always willing to help you and go step by step and stopping if you do not understand. In calculus is also about practicing your skills over and over again. If you have time you should really go to tutoring I hope this helped.
Shawn Finn
Topic 1
My opinion of Math changed when i started to build race engines. In everything i did on the engines math at some level was involved. when i first started to build engines the only math i would use would be simple addition and multiplication to determine horsepower and torque numbers. Then as my skill level increased and i started to design and build higher level engines, the level of math increased. I now needed to learn how to use trig functions to determine certain numbers.
I always knew at some level that i would need math in order to design and build performance engines. What i didn’t know was that i would need math for the business part of performance engines. When you are ordering parts for various engines, doing markups for wholesales accounts, discounts to certain customers, and resale figures all involve different levels of math in order to keep your business on plan.
Now that i am becoming and engineer i have made math a major part of my life. People that don’t understand math or wont take the time to understand it always say math is to hard for them. It just takes some time to understand and go over the different techniques and everyone can succeed at math.
MAT 1575 6637
Karen Li
Topic 1
Since the very first moment my friend had been able to count, she was taught mathematics. Her mother had believed that mathematics was the most essential subject a person needed to learn. She had once mentioned that she had started to memorize the multiplication table at the age of four. Soon she discovered the importance her mother had been talking about and began to learn as much as she could. It was not a surprise when someone had asked her what her favorite subject in school was and she had said math. She believes that mathematics is a universal concept, addition, subtractions, division, and multiplication is the same regardless of where in the world a person may be. Every person can relate to and understand mathematics, despite the language one may speak.
Lukasz Boruch
Mathematics can be a very powerful tool and the its proper use can make various situations easier.
Being a Civil Engineering student, mathematics is pretty much intertwined into every subject and topic in some for or another. One instance of mathematics, or more specifically Calculus making a subject easier happened to me about 2 semesters ago in my Concrete Design class. A friend and I started working on a multi-step concrete beam design problem, ( I do not recall specifically what the problem was) and we started talking about how there is definitely and easier way to solve the problem using calculus. We started arguing a bit and caused a bit of a commotion but we figured it out, and when we looked up the teacher was looking at us with a bit of a distasteful look but she just said “good job, you just made a 6 step problem into a 2 step problem”
Having taken calculus before this class helped me a lot but the professor had to do the problem the long way anyway as Calc was not a prerequisite for that class. There were countless more instances where I applied some type of mathematical knowledge to make problems easier or just solve them faster.
My class and section: MAT 1575-6638
Jesus Herrera: Mat 1575 6637
I would like to write about my experiences about math. The major I’m studying is electrical engineering. This class isn’t necessary for my major but it would be fun to study more maths. I always enjoy doing math whenever I need to form see how much I’ll get off from a sell or how fast something is moving between two points. I always found it fun using and learning math. I always enjoy applying it and showing other about math. I all ways had friends that hated or dislike math. But once I show them and teach them what they need to do and what to look for when they come to a math problem I always found it usefully to know math. But there were times were I didn’t like math because of all the studying and work that needs to be done just to solve one problem. This is a subject that everyone who wants to learn math needs to work hard.
Sometimes looking at the work that has to be done, and what you have done to solve a problem always helps me , the different was you think about problems.
Nazir ahmed. mat 1575 sec 6638
Mathematics is found everywhere in life like in business, built a house, measure something, games etc. without knowing math it will be really hard for us to love. Imagine a person who do not know how to count, i would say now a days it will be really difficult for him to lead a good life. when i was five, i remember first thing i learned in my math class was to write 0-9 and count 1-100. Year by year i learned multiplication, division, addition, and trig function, but most interesting thing i learned in math, which make me feel really good is find the area of any shape. i learned it in last year in my calculus one class. Thank you professor Reitz to teach us this topic easiest way. I love to do math,only the time when i know how to solve any math problems but if i do not know how to solve any math problems then i thought this is one of the hard and boring subject. I do not like to give up when i can not solve the problem. I always look for other people help or google it if i can not solve it. By doing a lot of math we can sharp our brain. Now a days most of the game we play is involving by math. There are many application of math in racing. The purpose of the race is to win and in order to win the race we need math, like measurement, scoring and car setup. The more we can do math the more we can learn about technology and science.
I agree with you SOO much there is benefit from the intellectual terrain math can build. It really bridges to everything. Sadly some don’t see it this way 🙁
My experience with math went totally downhill once I entered high school. In middle school I took Math A and did pretty good on it, but then again I had a really good teacher. The first teacher I get in high school was the WORST teacher I ever had (before I entered college). He was my Math B teacher and all he did was write problems on the board and NEVER explained them. He would have us work on these problems and then have the students write out the answer on the board which half the time they were always wrong! He was so bad I never tried to do any work because it was useless. Thankfully, I remembered him saying that when we took the Math B regents, if we showed work we could get credit for them even if we get the wrong answers. So the day of the regents I knew how to do about 25% of all the problems on the test. The rest I showed work whether I was in the wrong or right direction; racked up enough points to pass my Math B.
College was the same story: first math professor was the worst, and this time he was teaching pre-calculus. Almost everyone in that class disliked his teaching style. It was like he was having the best conversation with the board and the marker. Then on top of that he loved to talk fast. I even went to tutoring and that didn’t help me as much as I thought it would because the tutors didn’t explain the work much. That was another class I don’t know how I survived or even passed. On the bright side I did have a decent calculus teacher after that but he kinda taught it a bit fast so it was hard for me to grasp the material thoroughly. Math was scarring me that last semester I took no math classes at all; definitely needed that break and enjoyed it too. I hope for the best this semester!
Rebecca Vasquez section 6638
Stanislav Podolski. MAT 1575 – 6638.
To be honest I never was a big fan of math. I did do neither poor nor very well, most of the time my grades were between B- and B+. I think I did not really like it because it was too abstract and inapplicable in everyday life. I had this mindset until recently.
My vision of math changed dramatically last semester, when I was taking Calc I. For some reason it all started to make sense. My Calc I professor did a good job and it was the first reason. The second reason was the fact that I had to do two internships where I had to apply my math skills. My major is Computer Systems and Calc II is not required, but I decided to take it anyways this semester and Calc III next semester just to see how it goes. If it goes well I’ll pursue bachelor’s degree in math. I want to continue to study math not only because it is interesting to me, but also because it is a very useful skill to have for any computer programmer.
Charles Thomas-Math 1575 section 6637 — T/Th 4:05 P.M.-5:45 P.M.
For some time i was ignorant to math, i would think this was hard and it took too much time. I was always bad at math, i can remember deeply in elementary school i had one good math teacher in the 6th grade, this was the first time i got a 90 something on the sims books? i think.. This actually was one of the 1st times i felt accomplished even at a young age. Subsequently i had a series of bad math teachers, even one that had left for four months with substitutes most days to fill the void. And even worse in high-school. Up until i had a teacher that made geometry easy for me that’s when i started learning that there are truths in math. Then moving on i got better and better. I was at the point doing the unit circle where trig was heavy that’s where i took of and i really actually enjoyed going to math because to me it seemed hard but with time i could understand it.
From then on i understood that just working at math i would get it. Then i started to actually enjoy doing it. I was always good at computers and from high school i wanted to do engineering, i new it was hard because i had asked my cisco teacher what he had to learn ( he was a retired computer engineer in the navy). He told me it was a lot of math. I was fine with it.
Up until now i actually have really loved math this being probably why i like physics also both tools in learning about the meticulous nature of nature.
Justin Negron
Section 6637
Math is very hard at times and very easy at times. Sometimes I hate math and sometimes I don’t mind it. I think a lot of things wouldn’t be available with out math. I think that as technology and many other things improve individuals are getting better at math. My major is Computer Engineering so math is something I really can’t get away from and there is a lot more to come. I hope to get better in math, I find it interesting enough to pay attention and understand a problem.
Patrick Chen MAT 1575-6638 , T/TH , 4-5:40pm
Response to Question 1:
I was always good in math, however I was never interested in math. Outside of school I would disregard math anytime I could. My opinion changed during the middle of high school, my brothers had a discussion about different fields of study in college for me. I thought it was a waste of time until they started talking about fields which have high starting salaries. Surprisingly people that majored in math during college; their starting salary was relatively high compared to other majors. After the conversations my brothers and I had, I researched jobs which required math; boy, there was an endless list of jobs. Ever since then I’ve been interested in math. Maybe in the future I will have a career involving math.
Mathematics is on of the most radical and precise science. It is interesting because any formula can be proven, and it makes perfect sense for almost everybody. Also, It is part of our common life. It is used in almost all the fields such as accounting, nursing, engineering, etc. One of the things that I really like to say to my friends who tend not to appreciate mathematics or, showing poor interset in it is, this is the one subject where you don’t have to write a five pages paper and a citation page at the end of the term. The only drawback about it is, you have to keep working on it constantly, otherwise you’ll forget some of the notions. I do get some feed backs from them on the other hand that are really true. They would say for instance, they make us take math classes that we may never see after we graduate from college or, it’s a difficult subject etc. The truth is, everything they say make sense but, the whole idea behind it is no matter how difficult it could be, you could get through it as long as you’re willing to dedicate some time into it.
I dislike writing those 5 page papers to me math is much cleaner and interesting. But off course every subject is good for the brain.
Prosenjit Das MAT 1575, Sc-6638
I have chosen the first topic because i went through many situations where students don’t like math at all. They think its useless. I think they use less of their time to get the importance of Mathematics. I always liked mathematics and sometimes it takes little time to get the contents. But, oh well after i get it, i say to myself “NOT BAD”. Math is very challenging. Wherever you go, there is math. From points to the bigger surface to make something interesting that has always to do with numerical number,in business, engineering, design and what not. In high school, i always been good in mathematics class. i had friends who never got along with math. They took it as a boring and useless subject. They would never focus and try to get the basic. Focus is mostly needed to understand math. math is challenging because it makes us think instantly. i think people should like mathematics more because life is full of numbers. Numbers run the world.
George Cobos: Mat 1575 6637
Math does not come easy to most. Having had much conversation on the matter with different people, these conversations have led me to the conscience that if you are good at math then you probably are not good at writing essay. For some reason I enjoy math, it come easier, key word is easier, than writing an compare and contrast essay for English class. There are people that poses the ability to write a 750 word essay the night before its due and get an A. I definitely missed that chromosome. This leads me to the question that always pops up in my conversation on math. Is it really true that some are genetically predestine to exceed either in mathematic or essay writing (Linguistics), one or the other not both. What happeneds if you are not good at neither one, what excusse can be given?
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Saqib Shaikh: MATH 1575-6638
When having a conversation about math among my generation it seems to me like the conversation diverts in two ways. One which end abruptly with those don’t like math, the other with people who have deeper into the math field and no longer work with actual numbers in which we were taught the basis of the subject. In with the 2nd group of people; the conversation usually results in us recalling back to the when numbers were the key factor in the subject. The numbers game was actually what made me so intrigued about the subject and here and there when I get to use it in real life is when it makes me feel most connected to the subject. Whether it be doing calculations in my head or being able to spit out different numbered patterns. I understand that the deeper you go into a subject the more complex it gets, but its not the complexity that bothers me so much, but rather the everyday use is not there for everyone to relate to.
math 1575 /section 6637
Mr.Reitz
Topic 1:
I remember that when I was in elementary school my cousins will always help me with my math homework. I started taking great interest in math because my cousins tutoring was helping me get good grades. Now I look back and realize that if it wasn’t for my cousins i would’ve never figure out interesting topics in math. I like to challenge my self and with math there is always a new challenge. Math has always been so interesting to me and now Calculus 2 is my new challenge. I believe that math will always be needed in any career you follow. And its great to challenge yourself and you might discover new subjects that you can get to enjoy while learning about it .
I can relate to this scenario. when i was younger my older brother and a few close relative were math wizes. They showed my a few short cuts for claculations and how to remember my times table. They were instrumental in sparking my interest in math.
However there was one downside to this, they always expected me to do well on all my math exam, i felt a little pressured. but all worked out well with their help.
Math 1575 Section – 6637
Topic – 1
Math was really never hard for me but it was not the easiet thing too. i do not like math too much but its neccessary in civil engineering and civil is all about math. If you are interested in something, it’s easy to learn. If you want to make math easy to learn , you have to find someway to make it interesting to you. So for doing math i develop my interest in it othervise i was not be able to reach cal 2 and the main thing is Math is interesting, and once you’ve figured out that then it is the easiest thing in the world and more fun then the outdoor an dindoor games.
Math 1575 Section 6638
Topic 1:
Math is and always was my favorite subject. When I was 8 years old in the second grade, my dad made me study the multiplication tables from 1-12, and after that I knew them like the back of my hand. I enjoy everything math related; sodoku, puzzles, and even solving rubix cubes. I took more interest in math, rather than reading and writing simply because I felt it was easier, and more pleasurble. Reading and writing is extremely boring in my opinion and when I read the homework assignment, It really surprised me. I was expecting to do so math problems.
Adam Ibrahim, Tuesdays/Thursdays – 4:05 – 5:45
Topic 2
I’ve spoken at length with friends of mine about the nature of mathematics and one of the main facets of these conversations– which is what we find the most astounding about math– is the evolution of its ideas and uses. Others have brought up that it’s strange that math does so much for us and yet not everyone likes it. It does not surprise me. The language of math started as a visual metaphor to keep track of and modify quantities with the basic operations of addition and its inverse subtraction, followed by multiplication and its inverse operation division. When you look at the progress math has made and how abstract it has become, it seems so much less like this girder upon which the bridge of progress is built and so much more like this estranged, exalted concept– far beyond the reach of many.
Many start to build an aversion to math for this very reason; it has had the opposite effect on me, which also comes up conversations. Despite how far it has gone, its extreme abstractness is only based on its intrinsic traits of simplicity and exactitude. If you put the time toward it, you can generally learn quite a bit. In fact, my best study tactic for math comes from this basic concept: remember that math is, at its core, a language; if you can’t understand, walk yourself through what a set of equations or functions (especially for proofs) is trying to say in terms of plain English.
jeffrey MOngal
calc II mon/wed 4-5:40pm
I will be repsonding to thefirst question
My perspective on mathematics have changed many times over the years- in some cases for the better and for the worst. I will explain, when i was in high school i enjoyed math faily well until my last year in high school.
My last teacher made the class disastrously cumbersome and she was always very intimidating. Her exams were significantly more difficult than the homeworks. So when I left high school and came to college I dreaded taking a math class.
But the thing is, my major requires me to take all math classes up to differential equations. So I was understandably worried about successfully completion these courses.
Fortunately when I started taking math courses in city tech I was fortunate enough to have had considerably good and smart professors. So as I began taking these courses and my fear of math slowly began to fade as I started to build confidence.
After taking courses such as physics and chemistry I began to see for the first time the necessity for mathematical principles, concepts, theories and laws. I am happy to add that my math phobia is almost certainly gone and my life can go on with a little less fear (all I have to worry about now are the muggers in the subway).