What IS Mathematics?

After thinking, researching, and listening in class on Tuesday, I believe Math is the study of various concepts, such as addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, fractions, decimals, lines, graphs, patterns, theories, algorithms, and so much more.  It involves numbers, symbols, shapes, letters, measurements, problem-solving, word problems, and so on.  Math has been around for centuries and as time passes, more concepts and algorithms are added.  Math is not gender specific, though when asked to think of a famous female mathematician, I could not.  

To do mathematics means to solve problems using a specific set of steps which are learned through the knowledge of another person, generally a teacher. You can solve problems in many ways, including (but not limited to) mentally, using manipulatives, with a calculator, etc.  If you follow the set of steps with which you are provided, you may not always find the correct answer, but you generally have workings to reinforce your answer.

When you are thinking mathematically, you are thinking with numbers, logic and reasoning.  You are often using the knowledge you have learned about the various concepts of Math to figure out a problem.  Thinking mathematically requires you to think in steps or in a specific sequence and you are generalizing your answer.  Since math is a science, when you are thinking mathematically, you are thinking scientifically!

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