Thinking about mathematics leads inevitably to generalities and it is these generalities that imbue maths with the power that allows us to talk of ideas "shot through with infinity".
The title of the post above was intended to refer to algebra but the more I write the more I feel the presence of infinity within and throughout my thinking. Could it be that part of our use of algebra is to allow us to deal with the infinite? What does this mean to you?
The reliance upon some sort of algebra in all aspects of our lives is quite phenomenal but it takes a lot to become conscious of when exactly we are doing it. Try and think of a time when you may have applied algebra (it will be a lot more meaningful than any example from me) were you aware of applying algebra? Could you generalise based on that application? Could you deal with infinity? Would that even be meaningful in this context?
What is it about algebra that makes for it being such a stumbling block? That makes it a point of which so many adults look back on as some alien language? Try to recall your experience of algebra at school and compare it to a time you feel that you have used it informally in your life. What is different?
The title of the post above was intended to refer to algebra but the more I write the more I feel the presence of infinity within and throughout my thinking. Could it be that part of our use of algebra is to allow us to deal with the infinite? What does this mean to you?
The reliance upon some sort of algebra in all aspects of our lives is quite phenomenal but it takes a lot to become conscious of when exactly we are doing it. Try and think of a time when you may have applied algebra (it will be a lot more meaningful than any example from me) were you aware of applying algebra? Could you generalise based on that application? Could you deal with infinity? Would that even be meaningful in this context?
What is it about algebra that makes for it being such a stumbling block? That makes it a point of which so many adults look back on as some alien language? Try to recall your experience of algebra at school and compare it to a time you feel that you have used it informally in your life. What is different?
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