“ Mathematicians enjoy thinking about the simplest possible things, and the simplestpossible things are imaginary. Paul Lockhart
“ And I'll go even further and say that mathematics, this art of abstract pattern-making — even more than storytelling, painting, or music - is our most quintessentially human art form. This is what our… Paul Lockhart
“ Be honest: did you actually read [the above geometric proof]? Of course not. Who would want to? The effect of such a production being made over something so simple is to make people doubt their own in… Paul Lockhart
“ I don't see how it's doing society any good to have it's members walking around with vague memories of algebraic formulas and geometric diagrams, and clear memories of hating them. Paul Lockhart
“ So how does one go about proving something like this? It's not like being a lawyer, where the goal is to persuade other people; nor is it like a scientist testing a theory. This is a unique art form w… Paul Lockhart
“ So [in mathematics] we get to play and imagine whatever we want and make patterns and ask questions about them. But how do we answer these questions? It’s not at all like science. There’s no experimen… Paul Lockhart
“ If teaching is reduced to mere data transmission, if there is no sharing or excitement and wonder, if teachers themselves are passive recipients of information and not creators of new ideas, what hope… Paul Lockhart
“ ... This is a major theme in mathematics: things are what you want them to be. You have endless choices; there is no reality to get in your way.On the other hand, once you have made your choices then… Paul Lockhart
“ In any case, do you really think kids even want something that is relevant to their daily lives? You think something practical like compound interest is going to get them excited? People enjoy fantasy… Paul Lockhart
“ ... That little narrative is an example of the mathematician’s art: asking simple and elegant questions about our imaginary creations, and crafting satisfying and beautiful explanations. There is real… Paul Lockhart
“ If there is anything like a unifying aesthetic principle in mathematics, it is this: simple is beautiful. Mathematicians enjoy thinking about the simplest possible things, and the simplest possible th… Paul Lockhart
“ Doing mathematics should always mean finding patterns and crafting beautiful and meaningful explanations. Paul Lockhart
“ SIMPLICIO: ... You have to [learn to] walk before you can run.SALVIATI: No, you have to have something you want to run toward. Paul Lockhart
“ [Math] curriculum is obsessed with jargon and nomenclature seemingly for no other purpose than to provide teachers with something to test the students on. Paul Lockhart
“ Why don't we want our children to learn to do mathematics? Is it that we don't trust them, that we think it's too hard? We seem to feel that they are capable of making arguments and coming to their ow… Paul Lockhart
“ A good problem is something you don't know how to solve. That's what makes it a good puzzle and a good opportunity. Paul Lockhart
“ Mental acuity of any kind comes from solving problems yourself, not from being told how to solve them. Paul Lockhart
“ No mathematician in the world would bother making these senseless distinctions: 2 1/2 is a "mixed number " while 5/2 is an "improper fraction." They're EQUAL for crying out loud. They are the exact sa… Paul Lockhart
