What Are The Central Themes To Mathematics

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Introduction ‘Go down deep enough into anything and you will find mathematics’. ~Dean Schlicter This is a very bold statement to make, but it is a statement I believe to be true. Over the course of this essay, I will look at why this is true and therefore understand that the central themes of Mathematics are important in the National Curriculum. In its simplest terms the subject of Mathematics is the art of problem solving. It is used from the most basic of examples such as ‘how much food we need to survive’ to more complex situations, like the architecture of major constructions, such as a football stadium. Throughout human history Mathematics has been seen as a science that can be used by different walks of life. Arithmetic methods originally thought up by the ancient Greeks and our own modern methods which are used in the home or workplace; it acts as a basis for scientific research and medical breakthroughs; of course the basics of modern technology and the development of this that has brought us the modern day marvels such as the Internet. The National Curriculum states the importance of Mathematics: ‘Mathematical thinking is important for all members of a modern society as a habit of mind for its use in the workplace, business and finance; and for personal decision-making. ‘ This overview of Mathematics stems from simple concepts that are learnt at School, and are taken into our adult life and advanced upon where required. The definition of Mathematics is the study of number, quantity, shape and space. All areas of study that are included in the modern day School curriculum. We will look at these main areas in detail and look at how they are essential to our school of learning and if they are represented in the school curriculum. Number To start off with the easy option, of course everyone knows what a ‘number’ is, and we encounter the

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