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Quote by John G. Kemeny

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Random Essays on Mathematics, Education, and Computers

Random Essays on Mathematics, Education, and Computers is a compilation of thought-provoking essays that delve into the realms of mathematics, education, and computer science. The essays provide a comprehensive look at the theoretical foundations and practical applications of these disciplines, offering readers a nuanced understanding of their interconnections. more

Author

John G. Kemeny
John G. Kemeny

John G. Kemeny was a renowned mathematician, born on May 31, 1926, and passed away on December 26, 1992. He made significant contributions to the fields of computer science and mathematics education. more

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“The tantalizing and compelling pursuit of mathematical problems offers mental absorption, peace of mind amid endless challenges, repose in activity, battle without conflict, refuge from the goading urgency of contingent happenings, and the sort of beauty changeless mountains present to senses tried by the present day kaleidoscope of events.”

“For what is important when we give children a theorem to use is not that they should memorize it. What matters most is that by growing up with a few very powerful theorems one comes to appreciate how certain ideas can be used as tools to think with over a lifetime. One learns to enjoy and to respect the power of powerful ideas. One learns that the most powerful idea of all is the idea of powerful ideas.”

“Intellectually, perspective [drawing] is a breakthrough, because here, for the first time, the physical space we live in is being depicted as ifit were an abstract, mathematical space. A less obvious innovation due to perspective is that here, for the first time, people are actually drawing pictures of infinities.”

“The lock-step approach of algebra, geometry, and then more algebra (but rarely any statistics) is still dominant in U. S. schools, but hardly anywhere else. This fragmented approach yields effective mathematics education not for the many but for the few primarily those who are independently motivated and who will learn under any conditions.”