In mathematics, mathematical maturity is an
informal term often used to refer to the quality of having a general understanding and mastery of the way
mathematician
A mathematician is someone who uses an extensive knowledge of mathematics in their work, typically to solve mathematical problems.
Mathematicians are concerned with numbers, data, quantity, structure, space, models, and change.
History
On ...
s operate and communicate. It pertains to a mixture of mathematical experience and insight that cannot be directly taught. Instead, it comes from repeated exposure to mathematical concepts. It is a gauge of mathematics students' erudition in
mathematical structure
In mathematics, a structure is a set endowed with some additional features on the set (e.g. an operation, relation, metric, or topology). Often, the additional features are attached or related to the set, so as to provide it with some additiona ...
s and methods, and can overlap with other related concepts such as mathematical intuition and mathematical competence. The topic is occasionally also addressed in literature in its own right.
Definitions
Mathematical maturity has been defined in several different ways by various authors, and is often tied to other related concepts such as comfort and competence with mathematics, mathematical intuition and mathematical beliefs.
One definition has been given as follows:
A broader list of characteristics of mathematical maturity has been given as follows:
LBS 119 Calculus II Course Goals
Lyman Briggs School of Science
Finally, mathematical maturity has also been defined as an ability to do the following:
Ken Suman, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Winona State University
See also
* Logical intuition
References
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Mathematics and culture
Skills
Literacy