I REFER to the letter “Too much, too early” by CCLC (StarEducation, Sept 7). To support the observations made by the writer, I would like to share the writings of a prominent mathematician, the late Prof W.W. Sawyer,with regards to the basics of mathematics.
In his book, Mathematician's Delight (first published in 1943), Prof Sawyer wrote: “It is impossible to understand algebra if you have not mastered arithmetic; it is impossible to understand calculus if you have not mastered algebra.”
