Cursory Thinking vs Mathematical Thinking

Have you ever thought that there could be two different ways of thinking when it comes to learning new concepts, the first one being cursory thinking and the other one mathematical thinking?

What is cursory thinking?

The term cursory look means a task or work that is done quickly and without much attention to detail. Cursory, derived from the Latin verb currere, denotes quickness and emphasizes a lack of attention to detail and completeness.

In a similar manner, cursory thinking can be defined as the failure to understand the core of a situation or to gain instant comprehensive insight into the underlying issue.

What is mathematical thinking?

The ability to conduct arithmetic and answer algebra problems is only a small part of mathematical thinking. It’s a style of looking at things that involve reducing them to their most basic components, whether numerical, structural, or logical, and then examining the underlying patterns.

The capacity to think mathematically and solve issues using mathematical reasoning is an important goal of education. Unfortunately, we are not embracing the power of mathematics, especially in Indian schools. It will aid science, technology, economic life, and economic development in this regard. According to the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), 2006, governments are recognizing that robust levels of ‘mathematical literacy in the population underlie economic well-being in a country.

Mathematical thinking is vital for more than just solving arithmetic problems and understanding math. Mathematical thinking is required of a teacher when analyzing the subject matter, designing courses for a specific goal, and predicting student responses. These are, without a doubt, critical areas where mathematical reasoning is essential.