I know this statement is shocking. Some of you may feel that I have announced the end of civilization as we know it. How the heck will people learn math without the latest and greatest math textbook? The answer is simple. In the same way that people have always learned mathematics before the modern educational system, doing mathematics as they go about their daily life. You may ask “Is that possible?” “Would it work?” I think so. It is the reason I made this statement when I was asked if my new book, “Mathematics is child’s play” was going to be a mathematics textbook. But to be fair, let’s look at both sides, school math versus everyday math.

Let’s take a look at school math first. Lately I have been studying the subject of math anxiety. An increasing number of people profess to hate math, that they are “not good at math”, that they are eager to do basic math. These same people were taught math in our public schools. When did this math anxiety situation start? Who knows for sure? But what is significant is that it is increasing, not decreasing. It is despite the rise of the modern educational system, despite New Math and the latest teaching methods, despite all the money and energy that has been invested in the problem. Just for the record, I found a book “Mathematics; A Human Effort” by Harold R. Jacobs copyrighted in 1970 that in his preface the author mentions the failure of the new mathematics in schools. A 1964 book, titled “Mathematics for Elementary Teachers” by Ralph Crouch and George Baldwin, that was written to teach mathematics to elementary teachers who were expected to teach mathematics even though they had no background in mathematics.

Marilyn Burns, a well known math expert, has tackled math anxiety from 1970 with her first book, “I Hate Mathematics” to her most current book, “Math; Facing an American Phobia” 1998. This latest book is about math. anxiety as a growing phenomenon. And more recently, “Math for the Anxious” by Rosanne Proga, copyright 2005, is also very clear about math anxiety and its causes. Of course, all this math anxiety is good; at least it is for the math textbook industry. Math anxiety sells math textbooks. Parents are concerned that their children learn math better than they do. Teachers ask for a better way to teach math. This is great news for math textbook companies. For you and me, this is bad news.

So let’s look at the other side. Is it possible for people to learn math in everyday life? running your business or home, doing projects, etc.? it’s possible? I think so and it is already happening without anyone noticing. My daughter professed to hate math, yet she is doing math every day at Neopets. When I asked him about it, he said it wasn’t real math. So what kind of math was it? I think he meant it wasn’t “school math.” I met an airline pilot who went into great detail about the calculations he did in his head to fly the plane. He later confessed that he hated math at school. She was not ‘good at it’. He wasn’t even able to balance his own checkbook. When I pointed out that the calculation she did for flying in an airplane was mathematical, she insisted that it was not because she was not good at math in school. She said, “It’s just a formula in which I insert numbers.” Marilyn Burn relates a similar story about an interior decorator who could calculate the price of an entire room, but also felt that she was not good at math. These are people who cannot do ‘school math’ but are doing the math that their everyday life demands of them. They probably learned this math on the job; therefore, they do not relate it to school mathematics.

Mathematics is best learned in the real world, with real life situations. You can start by counting the cookies your mother gives you. Later you start comparing the number you got with the number your brother got. Quickly learn to calculate the “how many” more than you, so that your complaint is accurate. Next, you are watching Mom cut the cake or cake. She quickly calculates how many pieces each person can have, until Mom steps in and tells her how many they can actually have. Then figure out how many he can have tomorrow with all those guests out. This is a simple real life scenario, but how many math concepts did I cover here? These skills grow with your children. How many of you have seen your older children go through your Halloween candy? My son ranks and counts to evaluate how he did. Halloween is also a great time to teach about taxes. Parents should take their share of the sweet winnings and not just the treats that the child does not like. Remember, Uncle Sam takes off the cut on the top before you see a penny.

Playing is a great way to learn math. I like miniature golf and billiards to learn about angles and strength. Of course this may sound like Physics, Newton’s Law of Relativity. And it is, but there is no better way to learn geometry and algebra than with practical application. What could be more practical than learning while you play? Wow, here’s another real life example for learning math. I like to play games. You say it; board games, card games, strategy games. If it challenges me and tests my intellect and my ability to solve problems, I like it. Games like Nim, checkers, chess, mancala, Stratego, Battleship, Risk, etc. help develop logical sequences and strategies. Games like Uno, Skip-bo, Set, Rummikub help children develop their ability to see patterns. Games like cribbage, gin rummy, Scrabble really help kids practice addition and multiplication.

But enough of games, let’s talk about serious things. If you want to learn math, do a project like decorating a room. Do all the work, from calculating the paint or wallpaper, to calculating the material and sewing the curtains, to ordering and placing the furniture. Design a new cabinet layout for your kitchen, including calculating cabinet dimensions, appliance placement, and project costs. Try building something like a folding desk or playground swing, or a cart. How about doing a baking or sewing / quilting project? Make all the preparations for a dinner party, including planning, shopping, seating arrangements, cooking, etc. Try paper trading a few stocks and track them for a year. Start an eBay business. Woof! Wouldn’t it be great if your child’s math project became a home-based business that pays for your child’s college education? It is possible and it is real life.

When it comes to learning math, everyday life has many opportunities and learning is natural, not forced. On the other hand, the problem of math anxiety has its roots in our modern educational system. The problem is that experts who are not mathematicians teach mathematics as if they were experts. The problem is having math textbooks that present math in an artificial and rigid way. As much as I liked Marilyn Burns’s book, “Mathematics; Facing an American Phobia,” I think the correct conclusion of the situation was missed. Mrs. Burns is still trying to “fix” the system. It’s obvious to me that it’s time to ditch the system and re-learn math in everyday life. Therefore, I stand by my statement “The last thing the world needs is another math textbook.”