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Everyone is capable of, and can benefit from, mathematical thinking

(www.quantamagazine.org)
166 points sonabinu | 2 comments | 21 Nov 24 01:45 UTC | HN request time: 0.767s | source
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tracerbulletx ◴[21 Nov 24 04:57 UTC] No.42201269[source]▶
A nice sentiment but clearly a large % of people never do learn even basic mathematical thinking and seem very confused by it. So is there some scientific study backing up the claim that all these people could easily learn it or are we just making it up because its a nice egalitarian thesis for a math popularization book?
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1. physicsguy ◴[21 Nov 24 06:17 UTC] No.42201622[source]▶
That certain countries both now and in the past have had significantly higher mathematical ability among the general population and much higher proportions going on to further study suggests that ability isn’t innate but that people don’t choose it. In the Soviet Union more time was spent teaching mathematics and a whole culture developed around mathematics being fun.
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2. strken ◴[21 Nov 24 09:40 UTC] No.42202585[source]▶
Why would ability not be innate just because some people with the ability don't use it?

Or more specifically, two of my friends teach special needs children in the 50 to 70 IQ band. Who are we going to blame for them not becoming mathematicians? The teachers, for not unlocking their hidden potential? The kids, for not trying hard enough? Claiming that the only thing holding them back is choice seems as cruel as it is wrong, to me.

Yeah, we're probably not cultivating anywhere near the potential that we could, but I personally guarantee you I am not Ramanujan or Terence Tao.