When I graduated from high school, forty years ago, I had no idea that mathematics would play such a large role in my future. Like most people learning mathematics, I continue to learn until it became too hard, which made me lose interest. Failure or near failure is one way to put a stop to learning a subject, and leave a lasting impression not worth repeating. Mathematics courses, being compulsory, are designed to cover topics. One by one, the topics need not be important or of immediate use, but altogether or cumulatively, the topics provide or point to a skill, a mastery of mathematics.
Logic and mathematics starting with basic arithmetic showed me how to follow steps, one at a time and one after another, to arrive at the results, one step at a time and after another. I learned that an error in one step will make all the following steps and results wrong. Mathematics like any other rule and pattern based discipline may show through experience and trial or error, how to solve problems first by following given methods and later, if needed, by combining and exploring different methods.
In the paralegal field, I see the metric system, important to my daily work. Being able to do arithmetic by hand or with a calculator is needed in the calculating weights, measures and amounts (money included) that appear in daily life. I would be able to calculate estimates, costs, and my payroll hours. Tax forms give step by step instructions for calculating your taxes with arithmetic and a minimal use of formulas because government assumes no competence in algebra. Arithmetic and not algebra is required for computing your taxes.
The following are examples of the use of mathematics in the paralegal profession that I researched...
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...ematics all my life and during my federal government career. I had not noticed that my hand written calculations were part of the algebra and metric systems until now. I have always hated math and never felt the need to learn anything more than what I knew. This course has shown me that if you apply yourself and check your step by step process the end result will be worth it. I found it easy to do metrics. I had a very difficult time with Geometry and Probability; it took me days to understand the process. All of a sudden, it clicked and I was moving right along.
Works Cited
1. Agius, Margaret Lucas, How is math used in Paralegal Studies, April 2010 http://www.ehow.com/facts_5724566_math-used-paralegal-studies_.html
2. Selby, A., Ph.D. Tutoring, Appetizers and Lessons for Mathematics and Reason
http://whyslopes.com/freeAccess/whyMath.html
Math is everywhere when most people first think of math or the word “Algebra,” they don’t get too excited. Many people say “Math sucks” or , “When are we ever going to use it in our lives.” The fact is math will be used in our lives quite frequently. For example, if we go watch a softball game all it is, is one giant math problem. Softball math can be used in many
lesser of the math evils), and the dreaded, unspeakable others: mainly trigonometry and calculus. While
Write a paragraph or two on why it is important for mathematics teachers to have
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Mathematics is everywhere we look, so many things we encounter in our everyday lives have some form of mathematics involved. Mathematics the language of understanding the natural world (Tony Chan, 2009) and is useful to understand the world around us. The Oxford Dictionary defines mathematics as ‘the science of space, number, quantity, and arrangement, whose methods, involve logical reasoning and use of symbolic notation, and which includes geometry, arithmetic, algebra, and analysis of mathematical operations or calculations (Soanes et al, Concise Oxford Dictionary,
Mathematics is part of our everyday life. Things you would not expect to involve math
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My coworker, Erica, that works in the x-ray modality in the light room said that she uses math daily with her job. Her math usage ranges from basic math of adding and subtracting
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Devlin believes that mathematics has four faces 1) Mathematics is a way to improve thinking as problem solving. 2) Mathematics is a way of knowing. 3) Mathematics is a way to improve creative medium. 4) Mathematics is applications. (Mann, 2005). Because mathematics has very important role in our life, teaching math in basic education is as important as any other subjects. Students should study math to help them how to solve problems and meet the practical needs such as collect, count, and process the data. Mathematics, moreover, is required students to be capable of following and understanding the future. It also helps students to be able to think creativity, logically, and critically (Happy & Listyani, 2011,