Life Kit Math for English majors
7 snips
Sep 5, 2024 
Ben Orlin, author and approachable math teacher, transforms how we view math by likening it to a language. He explores the idea of numbers as nouns and operations as verbs, making math feel more relatable. Orlin shares practical tips for mental math that can simplify everyday tasks. He tackles math anxiety, encouraging listeners to embrace confusion as a part of learning. With engaging analogies and real-life applications, he illustrates the importance of math in our daily lives, helping listeners unlock a newfound appreciation for numbers.
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Math's Unclear Purpose
- Math's purpose can be unclear, unlike other subjects.
- It often feels like a strange game disconnected from real life.
Abstract Math vs. Real World
- Basic math, like adding apples, has clear real-world applications.
- More abstract concepts, like pi or imaginary numbers, feel disconnected.
Math as a Language
- Ben Orlin explains math as a language with nouns, verbs, and grammar.
- Just like poetry in Italian, some math can only be understood in its original language.
