Introduction to Mathematical Thinking

The idea

This course separates mathematical thinking from the procedure-heavy maths most people learned at school. The focus is on how professional mathematicians approach problems that come from everyday life, from science and from within mathematics itself.

What changes for the learner

Rather than memorising methods for stereotyped problems, you practise the habits underneath them: framing a question, reasoning step by step and testing ideas. The course treats this as a cognitive process that can be trained.

Good fit

• Learners who found school maths about rules rather than ideas.
• Students of logic and reasoning who want the mathematical side.

Since it is pitched at intermediate level, some comfort with basic mathematics will help.