It is now a commonplace of History, that Pure Mathematics had its origin in the practical needs of man, and that at intervals it has renewed its vitality by turning to its practical application. It has, during recent years, become increasingly recognised that the bases of mathematical education are the concrete and the practical; and this Association, by the Reports and Papers published in the Gazette, has emphasised the view that “the utilitarian aspect and application of Mathematics should receive a due share of attention in the mathematical course.” This increasing respect for the concrete and practical has not only led to considerable changes in the teaching of Arithmetic, Geometry and Algebra, but has brought into the Schools closer co-operation between the teachers of Mathematics and Science, and has resulted in a very desirable correlation of the syllabuses in these subjects.
