Arithmetic versus mathematics.

[JWHooper]

IMO, I don't really think arithmetic is really mathematics. It's just pure calculations, that's all.

 

[symbolipoint]

Some arithmetic is an essential part of Mathematics. You certainly do not need full mastery of arithmetic in order to study "elementary algebra", but you still must have basic understanding of most of arithmetic in order to effectively begin studying "elementary algebra".

Interesting: Why do some people do well with Arithmetic in grades 1 through 7, and then struggle so hard with Introductory Algebra?

 

[Marco_84]

IMO, I don't really think arithmetic is really mathematics. It's just pure calculations, that's all.

TOTALLY WRONG... how can you build real numbers? without real numbers you cannot have an algebra well defined or at least the usual one ...


quote from a genus:

God made the integers; all else is the work of man.
Leopold Kronecker

regards
marco

 

[CRGreathouse]

"Is arithmetic part of mathematics?" No, not really. I've always considered them distinct.

"Arithmetic is needed in order to do higher maths." Oh certainly, just like math is needed to do physics.

"You can learn how to do algebra without any arithmetic at all." Not really.

 

[mathwonk]

I refer you to Serre's "A course in arithmetic" since you do not seem to understand the meaning of the word.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0387900403/?tag=pfamazon01-20

Hardcover: 132 pages
Publisher: Springer; 1st ed. 1973. Corr. 5th printing edition (October 10, 1996)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0387900403

Serre's A Course in Arithmetic is a concentrated, modern introduction to three areas of number theory, quadratic forms, Dirichlet's density theorem, and modular forms.

 

[DaveC426913]

I am confused. I see two distinct and non-mutually-exclusive questions here:
1] Is arithmetic part of mathematics? (your title and your post)
2] Is arithmetic needed to do higher order math? (your poll)

Which question do you want the answer to?

 

[CRGreathouse]

I refer you to Serre's "A course in arithmetic" since you do not seem to understand the meaning of the word.

Meh. That meaning of "arithmetic" was old fashioned even back when the book was published.

 

[Dragonfall]

Arithmetic is the most useful and therefore the most important part of mathematics. You don't need to be fast or good at it, but you do need it before you can do higher maths.

 

[JWHooper]

"Is arithmetic part of mathematics?" No, not really. I've always considered them distinct.

"Arithmetic is needed in order to do higher maths." Oh certainly, just like math is needed to do physics.

"You can learn how to do algebra without any arithmetic at all." Not really.

Hello, CRGreathouse! This is johnny from computer science and math forum. Nice meeting you in this forum! I hope to see you around in here as well, as far as I need help on my physics homework!

 

[Gib Z]

Numerical analysis requires arithmetic, does that count as higher mathematics? Certain aspects certainly do, IMO.

 

[CRGreathouse]

Arithmetic is the most useful and therefore the most important part of mathematics. You don't need to be fast or good at it, but you do need it before you can do higher maths.

I'd say the same about high-school algebra and physics.

Numerical analysis requires arithmetic, does that count as higher mathematics? Certain aspects certainly do, IMO.

Ah, that's a good point.