Nichols School - Verdian Yearbook (Buffalo, NY)

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DAVID G. STRACHAN JAMES D. SHAW MATHEMATICS ROBERT A. GILLESPIE 22 The mathematics department believes that every student should receive a thorough grounding in the fundamental concepts of problem-solving and logical reasoning. We do not expect many of our students to become professional mathematicians, but we do expect all our students to develop a sense of reasoning based on a logical method that only mathematics can offer. The curriculum includes a thorough exposure to the fundamental processes of arithmetic and algebra at the Junior School level. Emphasis is placed on the ability to reason rather than on the memorization of proce- dures. Developing the student's mathematical aptitude is more important than filling him with theorems and formulas. Interesting side-lights foreshadowing later developments are incorporated at this level to stimu- late the student as well as to emphasize the why of mathematics rather than the how. The Upper School curriculum includes work in the fields of algebra, geometry, trigonometry, and calculus. It is the department's hope to fuse these individual courses into one four-year course call d mathematics. Each field is, today, so dependent on the other fields that it is difficult to decide which course should pre- cede which other course. For example, many of the fundamental processes of algebra are taught along with arithmetic, while algebra and geometry are effectively incorporated in analytic geometry. Much emphasis is

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DWARD A. WILLIAMS EDWIN H. ANDERSON W. RICHARD OHLER, JR STEPHEN S. GURNEY JOSEPH C. MANCUSO

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MAX E. SCHLOPY being placed on the functional approach to mathemat- ics-the relationship that exists between two quanti- ties, whether they be mathematical, political, historical, or scientific. The Mathematics Department believes this approach is a sound one, and pursues this ap- proach at all levels. Much has been said and written about the new or L'modern mathematics. The reference here is to new or modern ways to teach mathematics, not to newly discovered mathematics, although some recently dis- covered mathematics may be included incidentally. We at Nichols have included new teaching methods through the use of recent text books where the need was felt, and where the use of new methods better served the end. Some of the old books are still better than the new, and we continue to use them where applicable. The curriculum remains flexible to permit changes to meet ever-changing demands of the colleges and the needs of the students. Mathematics is an important part of The Educated Man. An understanding of mathematics brings with it an ability to think clearly and concisely, which is in- valuable even in helds far-removed from what the stu- dent leams in class. We of the mathematics depart- ment feel it our goal to help round and mold the stu- dent into The Nichols Man. fi David G. Strachan l DENNIS C. BROWN DON . TREFFINGER!N 23 Wffafe