BBC: Math education in China

inverse
Wed, 25 Apr 2007 19:02:10 +0000

Seven years back, in our top engineering school, a mechanical engineering professor realized that only 23% of his student in a mechanism class knows how to draw a circle pass three points. This is a basic geometry problem relevant to machine design. But most of our student never was taught proof-based geometry and have no way of doing it. When I tried the same question to my engineering class, 0% of them knew it. It is actually quite simple. Once you explain to student, they knew it.

Three year ago, I joint a group tour in China. I ask a tour guide the same question. He is a Japanese Study major. He answered immediately. I try another one, tourism major student. Again she answered immediately.

Geometry proof is important as it teach logical thinking. Its importance goes beyond math, science and engineering.