People's Stereotypes About Mathematics Books

Let us choose any mathematics textbook available on the market and examine its structure and content. It typically begins with definitions, followed by various properties derived from those definitions. Next, the textbook demonstrates how to prove theorems using the definitions and properties. Each theorem comes with practice problems that can be solved using them. This structure remains consistent across virtually any mathematics textbook.

What will those who study using such mathematics textbooks remember mathematics to be They will likely believe that mathematics is solely about solving problems through definitions and formulas. Consequently, they develop the stereotype that a mathematics book must be constructed in this way. They come to believe that a book is not a true mathematics textbook unless it contains theorems and their proofs. They think that math books should contain many practice problems. While some education suppliers may recognize that this approach to mathematics education is flawed, they often do not attempt to change the textbooks. Instead, they compromise with an unreasonable reality by producing books that sell, even if only a few. Fear of change can stifle innovation.

We must now break the stereotype surrounding mathematics textbooks. Simply memorizing formulas to solve problems is no longer sufficient for survival, as artificial intelligence has begun to outpace humans in problem-solving. Identifying problems without having solutions is pointless.

We can find answers by examining the essence of mathematics. Mathematics is the study of uncovering the secrets of nature. To uncover the secrets of nature, a deep understanding of both the essence of nature and the complexities of humanity and society is essential. Therefore, mathematics textbooks should include processes that involve observing nature and discovering its hidden secrets. They should provide opportunities for students to experience various societies and cultures through mathematics. This is the direction we aspire to take in our mathematics textbooks.

The Driving Force Behind Publishing the Most Mathematics Books

We have published over 4,000 different mathematics books. Some may wonder how such a wide variety of mathematics textbooks can exist. This is possible by breaking the stereotypes about mathematics books mentioned earlier. Mathematics books focused on problem-solving have inherent limitations. Mathematical theories are finite, and thus the number of problems that can be created from them is also limited. Even new problems often only involve changing numbers from existing ones.

What if we were to redirect the focus of mathematics books toward nature? There remains much more hidden in nature than has been revealed. We can create thousands of books simply by observing nature and explaining the underlying mathematical theories.

The mathematician who proved this was Leonhard Euler. He is regarded as one of the greatest mathematicians and physicists in history. He left behind a comprehensive collection of 92 volumes and 866 papers over his lifetime. Euler made significant contributions across nearly all fields of mathematics, including algebra, calculus, number theory, and geometry. He was also the first to introduce the concept of a function in mathematics. A genius in many areas, Euler excelled not only in mathematics but also in classical mechanics, fluid dynamics, astronomy, and optics.

To address topics such as the birth and death of life forms, patterns, and the collapse of those patterns, a foundation in the humanities is necessary. Therefore, mathematics books should also include discussions about people and society. Mathematics is present in music, philosophy, and literature. If this were to be incorporated into mathematics books, the number of books created could equal the number of great musicians, philosophers, and renowned authors.

Furthermore, if we include the societies and histories in which these individuals lived, tens of thousands of new mathematics books could be produced. However, the journey does not end there. Once we uncover the secrets of nature, we must develop advanced industrial technologies that make people’s lives convenient. In other words, mathematics books must also address how mathematical theories are applied in real life. If this were to be published in mathematics books, the volume would be tremendous.