![]() How would you figure this out? You could look at your calendar and count the days one by one, but that would take a while. Suppose you want to know what day of the week it will be 100 days from today. One such concept is modular arithmetic! Days of the week and remainders There are so many simple concepts in mathematics that just about anyone can learn, that are far more useful in everyday life than algebra or trigonometry, and that, sadly, are not taught as part of this linear march towards Calculus. Finally you’re put in precalculus to prepare you for the Holy Grail – Calculus – which only the really smart high school kids and the science-y college kids learn.Īnd there’s nothing beyond Calculus, right? Unless you’re some kind of crazy math genius.īut as every mathematician knows, nothing can be further from the truth. It reminded me that the American educational system naturally leads one to conclude that math is some sort of linear process: first you have to learn your arithmetic and memorize your multiplication tables, then you learn algebra and how to recite the quadratic formula off the top of your head, and later you memorize a bunch of trig identities and learn triangle rules like Side Angle Side. As a mathematician, I was quite struck by his statement. I heard this while running with the Berkeley Running Club this week, jogging alongside one of the runners who works as an engineer. I wish I encountered more math in what I do.” Trigonometry is about the extent of what I need. ![]() “I hardly ever use all the math I’ve learned these days – I’m thrilled if I ever get to compute so much as a derivative.
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