A chara, – The letter (June 5th) on higher level Maths was interesting. I completely agree that maths is important in terms of accuracy. However, making an analogy between a student doing maths and a brain surgeon operating on a patient is a little extreme. Of course precision and accuracy are very important in maths, however, if we only focus on the so-called “one correct answer and the one correct method”, then we will lose many disillusioned students along the way.
Instead, students doing maths should be shown that trying a problem and experimenting with methods is a much more important way to become comfortable with maths.
If you are comfortable with maths, then you have a better chance of being precise and accurate and understanding what you are doing. – Is mise,
Dr CIARÁN Mac an BHAIRD,
Department of Mathematics,
National University of Ireland
Maynooth,
Co Kildare.