Math for English majors

Nouns & Verbs

Ben Orlin introduces a novel way to understand math by likening it to a language, where numbers are the nouns and operations are the verbs. He explains that just as nouns name things in the world, numbers serve as the foundational elements of math, requiring systems for naming due to their vastness 1. This concept is akin to how children learn language, starting with naming objects around them 2.

Math is almost like a world where if blue and red blend to make purple, then purple should be called blue red.

--- Ben Orlin

Operations like addition and subtraction are described as the actions that make numbers interact, similar to verbs in a sentence, creating a dynamic mathematical language 2.

   

Alternative Views

Exploring alternative perspectives, Ben Orlin suggests that mathematical operations could also be seen as prepositions, with the equals sign acting as a verb. This viewpoint adds depth to understanding math's structure, likening algebra to grammar and fractions to synonyms 3. He emphasizes that even mathematicians find math perplexing at times, highlighting the subject's complexity and the diversity of interpretations it allows.

Even mathematicians disagree about math and find it confusing at times.

--- Marielle Segarra

This approach encourages a flexible mindset, reminding us that math, like language, can be understood in multiple ways 3.