LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL

The question of why math is important usually arises when children have learned how to count, add, substract, multiply, and divide; and they come to believe they know all they need to know to function adequately in life. After all, if one understands how to keep track of his own money, figure out what it means when a scale shows two additional pounds, or cut a cake so there'll be enough pieces for everyone, what else do we need to know?

The children who don't like math can usually understand the explanation that knowing how to handle money, telling time, cooking, sharing things, or knowing how many of any item will be left if some are used, all require knowing math. Younger children can usually understand why it's important to know how to measure how tall something is or how heavy it is, and they can usually understand how doing things like wallpapering or hanging window shades call for knowing how to measure.

What's not as easy for children of any age, but particularly as kids get older and the math gets more advanced, is to understand how algebra-based math factors into our lives if we are not (or don't plan to have) careers in math-related fields. Once math starts to seem less "number-ish" and more "algebra-ish" it can start to appear a little more "useless" to kids who aren't math-inclined.

When it comes to algebra-related math, it is, of course, easy for kids to understand that there are jobs and careers where knowledge of advanced math is crucial. In science-related jobs (which include the field of medicine) or math-related jobs it is important to have that solid knowledge of math. Gaining that solid knowledge starts with the learning the most basic aspects of math and building on it. Since many students don't know what they'll want to do when they grow up, it makes sense for them to get a foundation in math which will prepare them for college or work, if it turns out they choose a future that will call for knowing advanced math.

For those who know - without a doubt - that their future does not include a career in a math- or science-related field, there are still some after-high-school courses or jobs that call for at least some use of math. For example, some clerical or retail jobs may still require the use of math; and while, these days, most people rely on electronic means to get basic math calculations done, there can still be times when a person's knowledge of math is required.

Besides the possibility of needing math in an otherwise "non-math" job, the person who has a foundation in basic algebra has learned a way to solve problems that are not necessarily math problems. Algebra is a way to put "labels" on different aspects of a problem, and use a logical approach to see likely outcomes or solutions. Algebra is a way to "turn anything in life into a math problem" and see an organized, structured, way to think about that problem (sometimes without any numbers even being involved).

For example, if I'm trying to figure out how much of my pay I need to put away to buy a dress in five months, but my part-time job means working a different number of hours each week, and I'm not sure how much the dress will cost; I could either guess about a "zillion" different amounts of money I'll make each week, over the next five months; and then guess about all the possible prices of dresses; and then do a "zillion" different little calculations about all the possible scenarios. If I do that I'll be looking at pages and pages of a whole bunch of different scenarios, and I still won't have my answer.

If I know algebra, I can use it to come up with a formula that will show me how the percentage of pay that I put away each week will have to change (and how much), depending how what I've already earned and how much time is left.

Beyond that, though, a person could also use the logic of the "labels" and formulas that algebra offers to help them decide something like whether or not to go to a certain college or leave a marriage.

Our brains have the ability to think logically, but if we don't learn "the language of logic" our brains don't have those "labels" to put on "invisible concepts". A comparison is this: Our bodies have the potential to tap dance or perform ballet, but if we don't take dancing lessons we will either not know how to dance properly or all, or we'll learn a superficial way to dance that won't allow us to move beyond that to a more advanced level. Thinking logically is the same kind of thing, and in order to move beyond "basic logical thinking" on to a more advanced level of thinking logically, we need to learn the steps. Every person in the world benefits from having an ability to think more logically, whether or not he will ever become a mathematician.

Not only do people, who have learned at least basic algebra, use it to solve problems; but they will also understand when others refer to its principles or to their own approach to a problem, in conversation. The problem with algebra is that nobody understands its use until they understand algebra, itself. Once someone has learned algebra he will use it solve problems and wonder how he ever lived without it. I suppose it's kind of like a person who learns to dance but thinks she will become a chemist when she grows up. She may not quite know how she''ll ever use that dancing ability, but one day she may find herself in a community theatre production where a dancer is needed, or teaching someone else to dance, or using dance as a way to exercise.

While algebra-related math leans to "higher thinking", geometry-related math is a more "Earthly" math. Although there are professions/jobs that rely heavily on a solid, advanced, understanding of geometry, like algebra, having at least a basic knowledge of it is something that is useful in "regular" life, as well. People who do woodworking as a hobby use geometry, but the person who learning exercises for fitness or dance steps may be told that their arm should be at a specific angle. Knowing what that means requires knowing geometry too. Having a basic understanding of things like shapes, angles, lines, depth, or volume is something that (although we may not use this knowledge every day in our lives) allows us to function in a world that generally expects at least a basic understanding of these things. Whether we are hearing the explanation of how a plane crashed, or following assembly instructions for something we've purchased, that very basic knowledge of geometry lets us be "on the same page" as the rest of the "non-math" world.

If you got a group of eighteen-year-olds together, they may talk about something like world events or the presidential election; but they may also talk about their own "world" of the latest fashions, music, friends, and school-related things. The 55-year-old person may be at a complete loss to have anything to offer, or to understand, what all those younger people were talking about. Those young people would have their own interests and even language, and they would have knowledge about things like the latest recording artist that other people may not have.

The grown-up world that includes a whole range of people over a certain age (living their lives, cooking, working, having hobbies, managing money, planning, etc.) has its own language too; and that language often includes references to, or the need to understand, at least a basic level of math (including algebra and geometry). There are a lot of things that people in the grown-up world run into that they wouldn't have realized they would when they were younger. Math isn't just about whether we work in a math- or science- related field. It's about understanding the world around us and functioning in it.

When we learn how to do the most basic math calculations when we're in the lower, primary, grades we may build on that knowledge and eventually become wizards in the field of finance. Then again, we may only use what we learn to calculate our grocery bill or figure out how much we've lost in the stock market. When we learn the aspects of math that are related to algebra and geometry it's the same kind of thing. We may build on that knowledge, or we may simply use what we learn at the basic level when we're called upon to use it in day-to-day living.

There are also times when we don't plan to take a job in math, but we find ourselves faced with a possible promotion to a different job, based on whether or not we have basic knowledge of math.

Words are, of course, useful in this world; but words can only be used to accomplish some kinds of things. Words help us paint a picture of the world, but numbers and math give us the tools we need to understand how the the world and the universe work. For students who are naturally inclined to enjoy, and be good at, math, the understanding of math's place in the world comes naturally. When students are more inclinded toward verbal skills and/or the arts, their interests and hobbies often are not activities that involve math. As a result, they can live their lives as students, never quite seeing the "use" of math for anyone who doesn't plan to build a career on it.

What makes the situation more difficult is that students who don't particularly care about math often don't pay much attention in class or else don't learn it very easily. With math, the better an understanding a student has of how "all of math fits together", the more readily its use will become apparent.

As a kid, I didn't have any particular problems learning math.Math, for me, was the first homework to go when I didn't plan to do all my homework .What I eventually discovered, however, was that once I moved out of that youthful world of being a student and kid; and moved into the grown-up world of working, having children, managing finances, keeping a home, and planning for our futures, I discovered - much to my surprise - that I actually used the math I had learned and had never believed I would.

Even more to my surprise, I discovered that I had never really seen the larger picture when it came to math. Once I was grown-up I realized that math wasn't just a subject in school, and a bunch of little pieces of information or tricks to learn that didn't relate to one another. As an adult, I came to see that all those little "pieces" of math we learn in school are like puzzles pieces; and when we grow up, at least some of us can see how all those pieces fit together and create one, big, sensible, picture that helps us understand, and function in, the world.

I love this question. Most of you think that either you're good at mathematics or you're not. If you think you aren't good at mathematics (or anything else for that matter), if you've always been told that you're not good at mathematics, if even your parents say that THEY were not good at mathematics, well then what chance do you have? The answer is, none. But I believe that all of this is a fallacy. There are several key elements necessary to be good at mathematics, and these are available to anyone who desires them.

1. You must be interested in mathematics. You must want to be good. If you find that after a while you start to see the beauty in mathematics this is all the better.

2. What many people don't realize is that mathematics does not come easily to anyone - not even to mathematicians. If it did, they would lose their interest in a heartbeat. My absolute favorite quote of all time comes from Albert Einstein - "Do not worry about your difficulties in Mathematics. I can assure you mine are still greater." Anyone who pursues mathematics reaches a point where it becomes difficult. But as they say about physical exercise - "No pain, no gain." The important thing to realize is that just because you don't understand a mathematical concept at first, or don't know how to solve a problem this doesn't mean you are not good at it. Imagine if Einstein had thrown up his hands and said "Oh, I'm just not good at this!" when he ran into his first difficulty!

3. Don't get hung up on thinking that every step you take as you are learning has to make sense to you; that you have to understand what it means, why you are doing it, where it will lead. I picture myself back in high school, loving my math and not caring in the least if I didn't know "why." And sometimes, I even felt like saying "Don't bother me with WHY - just let me do it." I've found that lots of other mathematicians and math teachers say the same thing. But the cool part is that as your knowledge deepens and broadens you probably will find that "why?" begins to become clearer. Sometimes you have to have a larger perspective to be able to step back and see how it all fits together. This comes with time. And don't worry - there'll always be a new "why?" on the horizon.

4. Don't equate being quick with math to being better at math. Slow doesn't mean "not good." I remember my moment of epiphany when I was in graduate school. I was so intimidated by other students in the class who shouted out the answer right away when the professor posed a problem. I couldn't do that. But then I realized that just because I was not as quick as some didn't mean I was not as good as they were. I needed time, and quiet to concentrate. I got an A in the course - some of those "quick" students probably didn't. Being quicker certainly did not make them better.

5. Don't be afraid to "get your hands dirty". Imagine that your car isn't running. You lift up the hood and stand there staring into the engine trying to figure out what's wrong, and wondering how to fix it. Standing and looking will never get it fixed. You have to get in there and check things out, try different things, get your hands dirty - until you find and then fix the problem. Well math is the same way. If someone who is "good at math" sees a problem they are not familiar with it would be very rare that they would see the whole solution laid out in their mind before they even start step one. But they are not afraid to start - anything that seems like it might lead somewhere. Then take the next step, and the next step in a similar manner. And if they find that it is not leading anywhere, well then they crumple up the page and start over again trying something different.

6. Step away for a while from a problem that is perplexing you. I do some of my best thinking while I'm driving or before I fall asleep.You never know when the light bulb will suddenly turn on and illuminate the way.

So go ahead; try it. Expect some frustration, and great gratification once you've solved the problem. Revel in the gratification for a bit, and then challenge yourself to begin the process again with a new problem. And try to relax about it and maybe even enjoy it!

Whether we like it or not mathematics is part of our life already and no matter where we go, we will inevitably stumble upon numbers, and mathematical calculations (discounts, changes, calculations, etc.). In our pursuit in attaining education we need to overcome mathematics, from kinder to college. Subjects in mathematics like Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry (Plane and Spherical), Probability and Statistics, and Calculus (Differential and Integral), seemed difficult to overshadow for many. Moreover mathematics is thoroughly employed in science subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, Thermodynamics and many more field of endeavors.

But why we need to study mathematics and if possible master it, here are some reasons why:
Mathematics enhances your logic reasoning which is essential in studies. You will be able to understand further other allied subjects, have a full grasp of programming codes and deal with intricate and complex problems easier.
Mathematics helps you become mature, as it furthers your decision making skills. Mathematics makes you a consummate decision maker since it taught and trained you to think deeper and come up with sound and concrete solutions.
You can apply the things you learn in mathematics in real life, to gain profit, and prevent losses. Mixture, money, and simple interest problems for instance can aid you with your business undertakings. And if you are an accountant or at least a graduate of this course, you are a capable of running a business.
You need to master mathematics if you want to bolster your chance of passing examinations (board licensure examinations and the likes). If you want to be an engineer or accountant you must have a solid background in mathematics to pull through.
For obvious reason, mathematics is part of the program of school’s curriculum if you want to have a diploma; you need to at least earn a passing grade and if you can carve out a high grade then that is better.
If you are good in mathematics it is mostly likely that you are capable of excelling in other fields of expertise. Mathematics provides you a higher form of learning that will improve your critical thinking skills understanding which are vital in learning and acquiring necessary skills.
Mathematics develops positive values like perseverance, resilience, persistence, and patience.
Once you acquired the knowledge you need and eventually utilized these as wisdom, the things you learned in mathematics will never forsake you it will be stored in your brain for a lifetime. In turn, you can help out younger people including your kids with their assignments as years goes by and provide them tutorials as well.
It provides you satisfaction and joy. The feeling you will have in getting the correct answers (especially the difficult ones will give you delight in your heart, which is priceless).
You need mathematics when you are already employed or tending to your business.
Now you have an idea why you need to perform well in mathematics since it is so important in one’s existence. There’s no doubt that mathematics may play a crucial role in attaining success.

People just want to remember each and everything they come across especially their friends phone number, their account number, their ATM number etc. But very few are good in it. An easy way to do it is, put your total concentration on the thing you want to remember and suggest your mind that you will never ever forget this thing. Repeat the thing to be remembered quite a few times.
Remember, our mind will never forget things that is repeatedly said or remembered again and again.If possible link the thing to things that you can recall quickly. A boy will instantly remember a girl's name and phone number even without repeating it many times because his total concentration is in that fact and he mixes his feelings also to remember the name and number.
He will remember them even if he is told only once. Likewise we should put our emotion strongly to remember things or think of some picture to co-relate it to the thing to be remembered. This comes easy when it is practised.

Everyone knows that telling lies can get you into trouble. Most of us learned that as a kid. When Mom or Dad found out it was you, you were in for it. But what if you got away with it? Chances are, if you did get away with it, you tried it again and if it continued to work for you, lying became a useful tool in life. The thing is, sooner or later that kind of antisocial behavior catches up with you. It starts to affect your relationships and it can most assuredly affect your health.

The Mind Body Connection
Our nervous system are connected to our immune systems so it makes sense that our brain and our emotions can send out messages that affect our health. To put it simply, your body responds to the way you think. When we think happy thoughts our bodies produce endorphins; hormones that make us feel good. Those chemicals also contribute to a stronger, healthier immune system. Conversely, when we are worried, anxious or generally stressed out, our bodies produce different kinds of hormones such as cortisol and norepinephrine.
Cortisol increases blood sugar and suppresses the immune system. Norepinephrine kick starts the “flight or fight” response meaning our heart rate accelerates and our blood pressure goes up.

Modern medical doctors as well as holistic practitioners agree that a person who lies continuously will eventually face anxiety, depression, physical illness and even psychological illness.

Why Do We Lie?
Psychologists tell us that we lie because we are fearful of the consequences of telling the truth. Guilt bears a heavy burden on those who live into it, so people lie to avoid looking stupid, or incompetent, or so someone won’t get angry at them.
There are other reasons why people lie. People are afraid of being punished. They may feel embarrassed, they may lose face, status, or they might not get what they want, as many liars lie to manipulate people.

Liars think they are protecting themselves, but that kind of payoff obliterates the meager benefits listed above and it can be devastating to one’s health and happiness.

First off, it takes a lot more effort to tell a lie than to tell the truth.
To be a believable liar, you have to live into the lie, which often means believing in the lie yourself. Deluding yourself is stressful work because it’s a lot easier to remember the truth than it is to remember details of a lie. If you're questioned about the situation that led to the lie, you have to stick with it even if someone challenges your lie with proof that you’re lying. It takes a smooth operator to gloss over every challenge and it takes a sharp memory to defend every lie with conviction. Even the most convincing liar constantly worries that his or her lies will be exposed. It's that kind of anxiety that brings on ulcers, headaches, sleepless nights and paranoia.
Lying is not only an anti-social behavior, liars often become anti-social themselves. If they hang around people they’ve lied to, they begin to dislike those people. They may even blame them for their problems. It's no wonder that lies can ruin work relationships, marriages and friendships. If you’re caught in a lie, your credibility drops to zero. Without credibility or friends it's easy to understand why liars are prone to self-criticism and depression.

Don't Worry About Choosing the Truth
If you are tempted to lie, relax. Remember that the repercussions of telling the truth are really much easier on the mind and body than are the repercussions of telling a lie. There are a lot of benefits in choosing to tell the truth, including saving your sanity and physical health.
Simply by saying you’re sorry (if you did something wrong) and offering to make up for your error may end the ordeal quickly and you won’t be plagued with having to constantly substantiate the charade of the lie.
Simply by telling the truth about an embarrassing situation and taking responsibility for your actions can win you respect and perhaps even the support of others.
You’ll also gain a reputation for being an honest person. True, you may be known for making mistakes, but honesty is still the best policy and you’ll avoid that stomach ulcer.
People may just become more truthful to you and that has lots of advantages. You’ll worry less about whether others are telling your lies.
By being a truthful person, you’ll become more persuasive. People will trust you more. It’s ironic, but truthful people get more of what they want in life and if you get what you want you have less to stress about.
By being truthful, you’ll sleep better, eat healthier and consequently, you’ll look better.

To Stay Healthy, Stay Honest
Remember, whether you call them fibs, white lies, or exaggerations, if it isn’t the whole truth..it’s a lie.
We don't often realize that something as simple as the words we chose, can make us ill, but it's true. Lies will eventually eat you alive; the truth will support and nourish your mind, body and spirit.
So don’t jeopardize your mental and physical well-being by letting fear rule your actions and choice of words. Lies will enslave you...and as the saying goes, "The truth will set you free".

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