What is maths? As a word it’s short for mathematics, of course, which comes from the Greek word mathema, meaning science or knowledge. That shows how much importance the Greeks gave to the subject. To them it wasn’t just an add-on, something which helped them to gain science or knowledge. It was science. It was the core of knowledge, because even in a world full of uncertainties there are mathematical truths of which we can be certain. One plus one equals two, you can be sure of that.
Maths began with measurement, and measurement probably began with counting. Ug the caveman founded maths when he came up with the concepts of 'one', 'two', and 'many'.
It is a little bit more complicated today as we have things like ‘three’ and ‘four’ to complicate the picture, and by joining symbols together we can even give a name to any number, no matter how big. Maths is simple, just learn one bit at a time.
That sums it up.
About Me
- Michael Gradwell
- I enjoy languages and music and for many years I played folk and classical guitar. I still do, but in recent years the ukulele has been the instrument that I have played the most. I now have an eight-string and a four-string tenor, a concert, a soprano and even a tiny piccolo ukulele. I have many other interests, including a lifelong interest in politics, and because of this I have several blogs, including politics for novices. If you came to this page from one of my blogs and don't know about the others, you may like to check them out. Please feel free to comment on any of the blogs - let me know what you think!
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