A Mathematician's Lament

Based on the article, our present system of mathematics education is precisely what kind?

• successful

• nightmare

• boring

• exciting

Who are the only people who understand what is going on and are the ones most often blamed and least often heard about mathematics?

• teachers

• principals

• students

• administrtors

What is the first thing to understand about mathematics?

• it is about formulas

• it is about numbers

• it is about painting

• it is about art

Who conceived of black holes long before astronomers actually found any?

• scientists

• mathematicians

• astronomers

• artists

Mathematicians enjoy thinking about the simplest possible things, and the simplest possible things are what?

• imaginary

• descriptive

• patterns

• ideas

The only way to get at the truth about our imaginations is to use our imaginations, but how?

• through patience

• through love

• through hard work

• through talent

The relationship between the triangle and the rectangle was a mystery, and then that one little line made it obvious. I couldn’t see, and then all of a sudden I could. How?

• trial and error

• pure luck

• talent, patience, and love

• inspiration, experience, trial and error, dumb luck.

By removing the creative process and leaving only the results of that process, you virtually guarantee that no one will have any real engagement with math. How should we treat the subject?

• by solving problems with pen and pencil exercises

• by having an idea, being inspired with idea that could lead breakthroughs

• by knowing the facts and realizing that it will work somehow, someday

• by being inspired to do things

What is the author complaining about in mathematics classes?

• lack of mathematics

• lack of problem solving

• lack of understanding

• lack of science

By concentrating on what, and leaving out why, mathematics is reduced to an empty shell. The art is not in the “truth” but in the explanation, the argument. Using this premise, Mathematics is what by definition?

• the art of dialogue

• the art of numbers

• the art of explanation

• the art of problem solving