A student wishing to study English or a related subject at third level is expected to have a thorough knowledge of the basics of the language, such as the alphabet, grammar and sentence structure.
Likewise, a student wishing to pursue science, engineering, technology or mathematics at third level would be expected to have a solid understanding of the basics required for such programmes.
Modern technology is ultimately based on mathematical concepts. Artificial intelligence (AI) and data science are entirely dependent on topics such as vectors, linear algebra and related structures. Learning algorithms, a fundamental component of AI, are grounded in mathematical principles.
Graphics – including real-time video game graphics – rely intimately on the structure of quaternions, invented by William R. Hamilton, a renowned Irish mathematician. Quaternions extend complex numbers, a topic now proposed for omission from the Leaving Certificate syllabus.
RM Block
A recent submission by mathematicians and computer scientists to the United States Congress expresses the point succinctly: “Behind every breakthrough technology shaping modern life, from artificial intelligence and robotics to biotechnology, there is mathematics quietly doing the heavy lifting.”
The current and proposed Leaving Certificate mathematics syllabuses fail to provide the basic mathematics required for understanding modern technology. Our reputation as a knowledge-based society would be severely damaged, with consequent and substantial losses to our economy. – Yours, etc
TED HURLEY,
Professor (Emeritus) of Mathematics, University of Galway.
EUGENE GATH,
Lecturer (Emeritus) University of Limerick.
