Sir, – If you look at the papers for project mathematics on the Department of Education website, and this is a very worthwhile exercise, you will notice a huge reduction in areas such as calculus and linear algebra, as well as corresponding significant increases in areas such as applied statistics and geometry in comparison to previous years.
I couldn’t see any question on group theory. I see very little on sequences and series, for example. I think the new syllabus should be called practical mathematics!
The demonstration of the intrinsic beauty of mathematics, which is often illustrated in techniques required to work out difficult integrals or inherent in what might be considered tricky mathematics (which always appealed to me), is being sacrificed in favour of this more practical approach.
I am always in favour of being able to apply mathematics in a practical way where feasible: and there are many students who may prefer this approach and who appreciate the value of the subject more by being exposed to these types of practical examples.
However, the inclusion of practical mathematics should not lead to the exclusion of a substantial amount of fundamental theory.
Students with high aptitudes for mathematics could find this course intellectually undemanding, inferior and unchallenging. This point was strongly made by recent students’ letters in this newspaper.
Excluding the introduction of fundamental concepts in calculus and algebra from the honours Leaving Cert syllabus may not be in the best interest of the better or more theoretically minded students.
Perhaps a choice of equally valued mathematics courses should be offered to reflect different types of learners in mathematics. – Yours, etc,