Interpreting Mathematics: Some Educational Considerations

Abstract

This work contains several contributions supporting the idea that everyone can use mathematics to mold a personal niche in the social milieu by interpreting mathematical notions and results in one's own way. I include an autobiographical piece about my mathematical experience; a literature review of authors who influenced my thinking; a description of a seminar I designed to teach and test my views on interpreting mathematics; some applications to mathematical topics; and a list of references. Interpreting mathematics reflects the personal perspective of each individual on a particular piece of mathematics, on mathematics as a whole, or on everything mathematical in between; it has nothing to do with truth-it can be as plausible as the mathematics it concerns but it can also be fiction, eventually. The ability to interpret mathematics is different from the learning of mathematics per se-and it is a gateway to entrepreneurial uses of mathematics.