Why We Study MATHEMATICS???

Many often ask, why do we learn Mathematics?

When we ask this question to our teachers and faculties, "Why are we learning this?"

then we often hear that we'll need it in an upcoming math class or on a future test.

But wouldn't it be great if every once in a while we did mathematics simply because it was fun or beautiful or because it excited the mind?

Mathematics is the science of patterns, and we study it to learn how to think logically, critically and creatively, but too much of the mathematics that we learn in school is not effectively motivated.

Essentially, for three reasons, we study Mathematics:

? Calculations

? Wide Range of Applications

and last, and unfortunately least in terms of the time we give it,

? Inspiration

Now, I show all this to you because, like so much of mathematics, there's a beautiful side to it that I fear does not get enough attention in our schools and colleges.

We spend lots of time learning about calculation, but let's not forget about the application, including, perhaps, the most important application of all, learning how to think.

If I could summarize this in one sentence, it would be this:

Mathematics is not just

solving for X,

It's also

figuring out Y(WHY?)