Wrong angle for maths

The report wants a wider view of maths

Mathematics should be taught as being more than a question of numbers, says a report.

And the subject needs to include more geometry to provide the skills needed by architects and engineers, says the report from the Royal Society and the Joint Mathematical Council.

The report says that at present pupils are passing A-level maths with little knowledge of geometry.

And the mathematicians are calling on the government to stop talking about "numeracy" in schools because they believe that encourages too narrow a view of the subject.

The report warns that a lack of geometry in A and AS-level maths means pupils are not properly prepared for university science and engineering courses.

It recommends a fundamental review of maths for 16 to 19 year-olds so that more emphasis can be put on geometry.

National curriculum

The authors also call for changes to the national curriculum so that pupils spend at least a quarter of their time in maths lessons learning geometry.

Professor Adrian Oldknow, of the group which prepared the report, said: "Even though a wide range of disciplines, from architecture to drug design, require a thorough understanding of geometrical principles, many students still struggle to understand shapes, particularly in three dimensions, even after gaining advanced level qualifications in mathematics."

"Part of the problem is the government's obsession with using the word numeracy instead of mathematics.

The government needs to recognise that there is more to mathematics than numbers

Professor Adrian Oldknow

"This encourages teachers to underplay the importance of subjects such as geometry. The government needs to recognise that there is more to mathematics than numbers."

The report says it is important that pupils are taught three-dimensional geometry.

Professor Oldknow said: "Even the application of the results of the human genome project requires a good grasp of geometry, as it is crucial to understand the shapes of proteins that are produced from the genetic blueprints."

The report recommends that schools make better use of computers to teach geometry.

It also suggests that wrestling with challenging geometric problems might encourage more students to pursue careers in mathematics, and help lessen the shortage of maths teachers.