How to Read Mathematics
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Saved by 30 people (-8 private), first by anonymouse user on 2006-06-23
- Cndmathteacher on 2008-06-05 - Tags math , reading , howto , educational , math_as_language
- Btlgs2000 on 2008-03-20 - Tags math
- Joel on 2007-12-29 - Tags education , math
- Colcord on 2007-12-04 - Tags Ruby
- Wfpiggie on 2007-11-26 - Tags 1数学 , 2各科 , a数学基础 , favorites , mathematics as a language , 分野 , 历史 , 图书 , 学生指南 , 文化与语汇
Public Sticky notes
A reading protocol is a set of strategies that a reader must use in order to benefit fully from reading the text. Poetry calls for a different set of strategies than fiction, and fiction a different set than non-fiction. It would be ridiculous to read fiction and ask oneself what is the author's source for the assertion that the hero is blond and tanned; it would be wrong to read non-fiction and not ask such a question. This reading protocol extends to a viewing or listening protocol in art and music. Indeed, much of the introductory course material in literature, music and art is spent teaching these protocols.
Mathematics has a reading protocol all its own, and just as we teach students to read literature, we should teach them to read mathematics.This article categorizes some of the strategies for a mathematics reading protocol. I am sure my readers will think of many strategies that I missed. The point is that there *is* such a protocol, that we all know and use it, and that we should make an attempt to share the secret with our students.
Highlighted by millette
A reading protocol is a set of strategies
that a reader must use in order to benefit fully from reading the text.
Poetry calls for a different set of strategies than fiction, and
fiction a different set than non-fiction. It would be ridiculous to read
fiction and ask oneself what is the author's source for the assertion
that the hero is blond and tanned; it would be wrong to read
non-fiction and not ask such a question. This reading protocol
extends to a viewing or listening protocol in art and
music. Indeed, much of the introductory course material in literature,
music and art is spent teaching these protocols.
Highlighted by joel
The beauty in a novel is in the aesthetic way it uses language to
evoke emotions and present themes which defy precise definition. The
beauty in a mathematics article is in the elegant efficient way it
concisely describes precise ideas of great complexity.
Highlighted by joel
Don't assume that understanding each phrase, will enable you to
understand the whole idea. This is like trying to see a painting by
staring at each square inch of it from the distance of your nose. You
will get the detail, texture and style but miss the picture completely.
A math article has a story! Try to see
what the story is before you delve into the details. You can go in for
a closer look once you have a framework to fill with details, just as
you might reread a novel.
Highlighted by joel
The best way to understand what you are reading is to make the idea your own.
This means following the idea back to its origin, and rediscovering it for
yourself. Mathematicians often say that to understand something you must first
read it, then write it down in your own words, then teach it to someone
else. Everyone has a different set of tools and a different level of “chunking
up” complicated ideas. Make the idea fit in with your own perspective and
experience.
Highlighted by joel
Most math books are written with
assumptions about the audience: that they know certain things, that
they have a certain level of "mathematical maturity", etc. Before you
start to read, make sure you know what the author expects you to know.
Highlighted by joel
Public Comment
on 2006-07-15 by jaydugger