Why Math Matters II

 Okay I kind of dropped the ball on my blog. Life interferred as it is prone to do.

Although I am no longer a math mentor, I thought I should finish my posts on this topic since I had compiled some thoughts about why math matters at the time. I still believe we need more logical thinkers in this world.

LIFE is full of PROBLEMS

I am not just talking about math problems. You use your brain to solve all sorts of problems whether they are math problems or problems with life.  Life has simple problems like what to wear today or what to buy for dinner? Life sometimes involves more apparent math problems, such as is it cheaper to buy the store brand or the name brand, or is it cheaper to grow my own tomatoes?  Life also has more complex problems like should I rent or buy a house, or can I afford to have a kid?  

Most everyday problems we solve instantaneously, without writing anything down, just using our brainpower. When we use our brain to solve problems we are using logic.  Different parts of your brain are used for different functions.   Math improves your logic skills by using the part of your brain that is analytical.

Think of your brain as a muscle and math as the exercise machine. Math trains your brain to understand and break problems down into smaller parts that can be solved more easily.  You will be a better problem solver if you study Math.

Texas Tattoo

Should I move to Texas?

Should I get a Tattoo?

Should I get a tattoo of Texas?

Why I wrote this:

As a volunteer math mentor/tutor for Middle and High School Students the most common complaint I hear is:

 "Why do I have to do this! I'm never going to use this again!"

So I started to think of reasons, that don't necessarily involve knowing math for math's sake, on why the study of math will help students in the real world and decided to share them here. I have several other reasons that I will be sharing in the future.