| Historical Background | | | | Computer Industry Boom |
| India has made significant contributions in the | | | | This knack towards math and science and the |
| evolution of Mathematics. Aryabhatta, | | | | knowledge of English language became great |
| Brhamagupta and Bhaskara II are some of the | | | | assets when the Computer and software industry |
| famous mathematicians from ancient India. | | | | blossomed. US had need of tons of software |
| Concept of zero and the decimal system came | | | | engineers. India had its potential base ready. |
| from India. Significant work was done in the field | | | | Young graduates grabbed this opportunity and |
| of algebra and trigonometry. There is Vedic Math | | | | took classes in learning programming languages, |
| which teaches various computation techniques | | | | databases and other technologies. Being good at |
| through sutras(rules). The growth and | | | | math generally leads to being good in |
| development by the mathematicians would have | | | | programming and analytical thinking. People who |
| trickled through to the general population, making | | | | did not get into engineering colleges and did |
| them interested and adept in computations. | | | | graduation in Math or Physics also started doing |
| | | | diplomas and masters in Computer applications. |
| Another factor is the Indian socioeconomic | | | | Year after year there are hundreds of thousands |
| circumstances. Historically, engineers and doctors | | | | of Indians who come to US, get jobs in IT |
| were the only professionals who had a prospect | | | | industry and make US their home. When they |
| of lucrative jobs. Number of seats in colleges for | | | | have family and kids, they apply the Indian |
| these two streams was limited. In order to get | | | | method to their kids who go to US schools. |
| admitted to engineering or medical school, a | | | | Children of Indian origin living in US excel in math |
| student has to pass very difficult entrance exam | | | | and science. This trend applies to kids from other |
| with stress on Math and Science subjects. Only | | | | Asian countries as well. |
| the best of the best can get admission to a | | | | Math in US |
| reputable college or university. This led parents, | | | | In my opinion, US math books are very |
| students, teachers and the school system to | | | | well-written and illustrated. They explain the |
| focus on doing well in math and science. | | | | concept, history and application of a particular |
| Rigor of Math | | | | topic. This gives a kid well-rounded education |
| Kids learn multiplication from early childhood. Every | | | | rather than learning the formula. However, the |
| evening, you recite multiplication tables. This | | | | trouble is the lack of rigor. Be it physical fitness or |
| practice makes kids good at mental math. As | | | | mental fitness, a strong discipline, regular drill and |
| they grow older, they start learning math rules | | | | successive goals for improvement and |
| and formula. Indian methodology is based on | | | | achievement are needed. Mathematics inherently |
| learning and practicing. Kids are made to solve | | | | needs practice. When you solve a math problem, |
| many problems in each of the mathematical | | | | it is either right or wrong - there are no grades |
| concepts so that it becomes second nature to | | | | like average or fair. In order to solve a problem |
| solve the problems. Unlike the US system, Indian | | | | correctly and quickly, one needs rigorous workout. |
| education system does not put much importance | | | | If the teachers do not instill this discipline, students |
| on creative thinking and deep understanding of | | | | get more incorrect answers than correct. They |
| the subject. There are pros and cons of this | | | | get into the vicious circle of 'I am not good at |
| approach. Pro is that there is less fear of math - | | | | math-I hate math-Why do we need math' and so |
| You get mechanized about computations and | | | | on. If the teachers can guide the students |
| problem solving. Being good and quick on basic | | | | towards a regular math work program, the circle |
| math makes it easy to learn higher concepts. The | | | | can be reversed. They start solving problems, get |
| disadvantage is the lack of innovation and | | | | excited about it and develop an interest in the |
| creativity. But in a country with a population of | | | | subject. It will build math confidence and the fear |
| over a billion and not enough educational or job | | | | will be gone. After all, school math is no Rocket |
| opportunities, being good in giving a test is | | | | Science! If students in India can be good at math, |
| essential for the short-term goal of getting into | | | | students in other countries can be good as well. |
| the race. | | | | |