Page 2 Stuff TheHilarion \ April 1,2014 Math is condescending By Mam Sarlow Minion M ath is like the kid who sits in front of the class and answers every question correctly. The very nature of math lends to infallible arrogance as Roger Bacon wrote centuries ago; “If in other sciences we should arrive at certainty without doubt and truth without error, it behooves us to place the foundations of knowledge in mathematics”. Math’s ego has far outlived its welcome. The so called “laws” are just the tip of the iceberg. Even theorems, which in most science is a highly educated guess, produce only one possible answer. The idea of significant figures or margins of error only exacerbate ones shortcomings in mathematics. Math is merely saying that one cannot even extrapolate the correct answer and by admitting the answer is within a certain range one only accepts defeat. Math is continuously misspelling words like “sine” pronounced “sign” which is supposed to be spelled S-I-G-N. If math is infallible. Each of us as students has lost points on assignments for misspelled words. By showing such disregard for using proper English Math only adds to its already hated reputation. Random being defined by an algorithm is completely absurd. Random by definition means without algorithm. Math continues to overstep its boundaries into realms where it is unneeded and unwanted. Basic algebraic equations take letters and assign them mathematical values; math is for numbers and should leave letters out of equations. Just yesterday 1 was in a local grocery trying to buy beer, when attempting to pay at the register the teller stated, “Your math must be off because this is not enough money.” I tried to explain that math must be wrong because I want beer. The teller quoted Roger Bacon and I went home thirsty. Life would be much simpler and more enjoyable without math. Leave math in the classroom and move toward a better society without the constraints of mathematics. Dear Algebra, Please stop asking us to find your X. She's never coming back and don't ask Y. ■J". ■dA^t>''- |_ 'i ort ¥ J L; 1 BC fulfills wishes, potholes By Kayleeda Earth Lover W ish upon shooting stars. The students of Brevard College always put a suggestion in the box, but it never does an5Thing but rot and deteriorate. This is all about to change. Earlier last semester, there was rumor that over Fall Break the wall in the Dining Hall would be knocked down, creating a larger sitting space to accommodate for the large amount of students BC was collecting. When Brevard College students returned from Winter Break, the student body was surprised with a new lounge, not a broken down wall. Although our wishes had not been blessed at that time, we can expect the change very soon according to higher authority. The most wanted of projects is, of course, a new weight room. We have heard groan upon groan about how prison-like it currently is. That too will be changed sometime this month despite any false promises. As you all may have seen in the earlier semesters, signs reading, “Filling the Holes When Weather Permits,” BC has finally decided that the weather has been permitting enough to fill in the tragic potholes on campus. Assuming weather has not been permitting for almost nine months, those holes will soon be filled because mother nature has finally called and promised a permitting week. All of your wishes are coming true slowly but surely. Although, keep in mind the date... Something about April First seems a little fishy... Oh, yeah, it is April Fools Day! Sorry about your wishes, I heard Mother Nature was stealing shooting stars. Better luck next time! Do you want the Clarion to run an aiUde on your event? ^ NO Instead, send your favorite videos of baby animals to clarion@brevard.edu

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