Definition of mathematical thinking - What it is, Meaning and Concept

The thought is that which exists through intellectual activity .It is the product of the mind born from the rational processes of the intellect or of the abstractions of the imagination.

The analysis, the comparison, the generalization, the synthesis and the abstraction are some of the operations linked to the thought, which determines and is reflected in the language .It is possible to distinguish between different types of thinking, such as analytical thinking (which separates the whole into different parts), critical thinking (assesses knowledge) or systematic thinking (a vision that encompasses multiple elements with their different interrelationships).

In this case we are interested in mathematical thinking , which consists of systematization and contextualization of knowledge of mathematics .This type of thought This is based on knowing the origin and evolution of the concepts and tools that belong to the mathematical field.

By developing this thought, the subject reaches a more complete mathematical training that allows him to have an important body of knowledge that will be useful to reach the results.

Mathematical thinking, therefore, includes knowing how a concept or technique has been formed.In this way, the person knows their inherent difficulties and discovers how to exploit their use properly.

Like subject , mathematical thinking includes the study of concepts, techniques and algorithms in force at every historical moment .This does not imply, in any case, assessing the achievements and Mathematical discoveries of antiquity from current knowledge.

Although mathematical thinking is intimately related to the ability to think and work in numerical terms using logical reasoning, this type of intelligence transcends the field of mathematics and collaborates with our ability to understand concepts of another nature and to relate them based on organized schemes and techniques.It is through mathematical thinking that we can convert calculations, hypotheses, quantifications and propositions into a natural resource of our brain.

Unlike what many people believe, all people have the possibility of developing this type of thinking, and the resulting capacities depend on the degree of stimulation that each one receives.Intelligence can and should be trained; only through constant effort and determination is it possible to obtain important results.

Among the benefits of mathematical thinking are the following points:

* promotes the ability to solve problems in various areas of life through the formulation of hypotheses and the elaboration of predictions;

* encourages the reasoning about the objectives and the methods to follow to achieve them;

* allows to relate concepts that, apparently, are distant from each other, which opens the doors to a deeper understanding;

* awakens the need to order and analyze the acts and decisions that are made daily, improving overall performance.

As in all cases, the earlier in life you begin to stimulate mathematical thinking in a person, the greater your intellectual development and the more natural it will be to apply this type of logical intelligence in your day-to-day life., it is necessary to point out that it is not possible to expose children to these concepts without moderation, but that teaching should be according to age and, not least, to the characteristics of each individual.Also, it should not be forgotten that one learns better when education is fun than when it is imposed.

Some of the methods that are usually used when working with very young children include activities that focus on the manipulation of various objects, to identify, compare and classify them.It is also very beneficial to gradually introduce a series of physical concepts.and chemicals they can see in their daily lives, helping them study their effects on the environment.