Ask A Scientist Mathematics Archive

Author:      eileenb
Why do we study math when we have computers and calculators?
Where did the name math come from?  a 6th grader

Response #:  1 of 3
Author:      tee
According to one mathematics dictionary, the ancient greek word, "mathema-
ta", is roughly translated as "things learned" or "the studies"  and
mathemata was used as a general term for geometry, the study of numbers,
astronomy, and music. 

The wide acceptance and use of computers and calculators makes it necessary
to study more mathematics than ever before.  Computers and calculators allow
us to explore more complicated questions and find more sophisticated
answers.  We study more mathematics to learn how  to ask better questions
and to better interpret the output from our computing machines.  Applica-
tions of mathematics continue to grow in number and into new areas of study
in society, business, and industry.  Most of these new applications involve
computing and large amounts of data.  Before the computing can be done, the
right mathematical models and proper methods of data collection must be 
decided and their are often many choices to be made.  All of this requires
knowledge about mathematics and related statistics.  Sometimes the work
needed to learn all of it may seem awfully boring and tiring but their can
be lots of satisfaction in  the accomplishment.  Good luck with your future
math studies in finding some excitement.

Response #:  2 of 3
Author:      tee
Computers and calculators cannot think for us so we have to understand how
to decide what type of math computation is the right one to solve our
problem.  Calculators should help us to be able to spend more time thinking
about problems and applications and less time pushing numbers around with a
pencil.  Eventually, a lot more credit will be given for making good
decisions about what we should send to the computer and this requires
knowing even more about mathematics and how it can be applied than we often
study today.

Response #:  3 of 3
Author:      jlu
Here is one that your calculator cannot do, but you can when you learn the
right mathematics.
     Find the value of 99999 to the 99999th power.  My calculator gives me
an error message when I ask it for the answer.