Mathematics provides tools for calculations

Math has been around quite a long time. We all see math in a different way some can grasp it
and some cannot. I've search in Internet about mathematics. I discover that it begins between
600 - 300 BC. And today, in 21'st century generation mathematics is still in a development and
improvement because that's how math meant for us, the fact that we use it in everyday of our
lives.

According to Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia, mathematics may be defined as “the study of

relationships among quantities, magnitudes and properties, and also of the logical operations
by which unknown quantities, magnitudes, and properties may be deduced” or the study of
quantity, structure, space, and change (Wikipedia). And now mathematics covers - in addition to
the more or less standard fields of number theory, algebra, geometry, analysis (calculus),
mathematical logic and set theory, and more applied mathematics such as probability theory
and statistics.

"Mathematics provides tools for calculations". Yes indeed, a subject mathematics teaches us
from the basic into complex computations. It is how to prove theorems and perform
calculations. In one sense, the only thing that matters in math is getting the right answer just as
in painting a picture or making finished products to sell to customers, all the matter is the
impact the final results has on the viewers. Painters spend a lot of time talking about what kind
of brush to use and which paint thinner to use. While in Sellers or Businesses, they identify first
their customer's need and wants to get accurate solution and usually they used to apply the
market segmentation where it involves demographic, psychographic, geographic and
behavioral. The same with mathematics, everytime when we are solving math problems there
are many questions comes to our minds such as what kind of formula to use, how it should be
done, is the answer correct or not. These are just a few that normally happen in people.

Addition (+), subtraction (-), multiplication (×) and division (÷) are the four basic operations.
These are commonly called arithmetic operations which is the oldest and most elementary
branch of mathematics. These perform together with the number wherein each operation take
two numbers to produce a third number. Like for example, 1 + 1 = 2, we add two numbers then
get another number that depends on what operation we used. In mathematics, there is a
collection of rules that reflect conventions about which procedures to perform first in order to
evaluate a given mathematical expression. We call these the "order of operations" or operator
precedence. Are you Familiar with PEMDAS? There are different mnemonics proposed by
different countries such as PEMDAS, BEDMAS, BODMAS and BIDMAS. In these mnemonics, we
are more familiar with PEMDAS, it stands for Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication/Division
and Addition/Subtraction. We apply these aside from uniformity, we eliminate ambiguity while
allowing the notation to be as brief as possible.

To some maths can be fun! To some maths can be surprising and to some maths can be
unexpected. Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division are easy, what if you come across
derivation, calculus and geometry? You would formulas to solve them. There are several
formulas we commonly used when doing basic math computation. Formulas are used to
provide mathematical solution for real world problems. In the form of equation it shows you
how to work something out and let you do what exactly you need to solve a particular problem.
These formulas can be an equation as mentioned before, can be a principle or a logical relation
with numbers and symbols that emphases the relationship between variables. Well, it can be as
simple as a basic addition formula or complicated as an integration or differentiation. Here for
example, we already discuss the series where adding the previous two terms in generated, that
series is called a fibonacci series or sequence. The first and second term of the Fibonacci
serquence are set as 0 and 1. It continues till infinity. Observe the following fibonacci sequnce:
0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34…., we ask to determine the next number of 34. To be more
challenging, let's use the fibonacci formula: Fn = Fn-1 + Fn-2, to determine the next number,
count if how many the number is given, there is 10 thus we will determine the 11th number.
Using the formula, Fn = Fn-1 + Fn-2, F11 = F10 + F9, proceed with substitution, F11= 34 + 21,
then add we have 55. That's how formulas help us to solve different kind of math problems,
and at the same time less time in computation.

Last monday, July 9, 2018, we have discussion on how to solve a problem either situational or
not. There are four-step approach to problem solving; understanding the problem, device a
plan, carry out the plan and review the solution. To contrast, these are the said tools that only
math have. Always remember in solving a probem there is always a system or process to be
followed or to be done in order for us to get the correct answer. I've mentioned it already in the
third pararaph that only matters in math is getting the right answer. Getting the right answer is
the most hard part of the problem-solving because it's mind over mind, you need to think
throughout the process but also its interesting and exciting as well. For me, making a list,
drawing a diagram, table or chart, pattern, experiment and reasoning are one of the tools that
contribute in determining solutions in particular problems.

The tools that used in mathematics are in fact evolving over time for improvement and
development. And it is something significant because today is different tomorrow, for another
day, or for next year/s. It must be present or updated in order to avoid any misinformation. In
addition with tools for calculations, with the help of calculators especially scientific calculator,
it's more easy for us to know the answer of a given mathematical problem. The problem is
there's no solution so it's useless but helpful as well in checking the answers if it's the same or
not.

Some of tools that being stated are not just for math problems, it can be apply in our life, in our
choices or decisions because of problems or struggles that we encounter. Keep this in your
mind, problems are not hindrance to achieve our goals and purpose, it depends on us on how
to solve our problems. Use formulas in your life, where different variables are your family, goals,
skills, knowledge and personality. That's how math works.