What is Mathematics?

Take a minute & come up with a defintion of mathematics.

When people are asked what mathematics is, a popular answer may start with a groan and an answer that includes: numbers, correct answers, and memorization. However, there is more to mathematics than people are aware of. Let's talk about the problem solving, exciting side of math! After reading this post, all you'll want to do with the rest of this great day is DO MATH. Maybe not, but at least hear me out. ​ I chose a mathematics major because I want to show young learners what fun and amazing things we can do in mathematics. In math we find patterns, which our brain conveniently already does. The subject of math consists of not only those patterns, but relationships and commonalities we can find from what we already know. We use math to understand how our world works. The cars on our roads have to go a certain mile per hour for our safety, which entails rates.  We can trust our architects to build a bridge strong enough to hold semi-trucks and cars and people, where complex math is involved. Basic multiplication facts can help us order the correct amount of carpet from our local carpenter. Not every room's measurements are whole numbers, so how can we multiply the fractions with whole numbers so, we know we're paying the correct amount? What happens when our room isn't a perfect square? We take what we know and we can build a functioning equation to help us! Mathematics includes a lot of problem solving, trying things over and over, which we like to call productive failure. When a problem is presented we will take all the tools we know and begin. If something does not work, we go back to our tool box and try something else. Math includes persevering through and talking through with others to hear their perspective. What someone else brings to the table may not be exactly correct, but can help us understand and maybe spark a new idea. 

I want to be an elementary teacher. My problem solvers (students) will be invited into math with accessible tasks that include discoveries, collaboration, and reflection. As we move into more difficult tasks, we can make connections into what we've already learned. Students will learn what it means to persevere through problems.  

Some cool discoveries in Mathematics:  * Knot Theory  *Calculus *Möbius Strip *Infinity ​*Pythagorean theorem