The article speaks for itself... (high school, politicians, education, state)

[Redraven]

No comment I can make could add to it...

Markey: 'It's really not math. It's just arithmetic' | The Daily Caller

[bUU]

I cannot speak to whether Markey knew what he was talking about, when he said what he said, but his words were actually pretty-close to correct. Mathematics is, specifically, the abstract science of number, quantity, and space. Arithmetic is a means of implementing certain aspects of Mathematics within a real number system. It's like the difference between Biology and First Aid.

[Redraven]

I will admit, there is a difference between arithmetic and algebra or calculus, or even "advanced math".
But, for many of us, the difference between mathematics and arithmetic is so minor as to be negligible.
Now, if Markey was talking to mathematicians, his statement may have made sense. However, he is talking mostly to people who have a high school education, at best. To many of us his statement simply sounds ridiculous.
Luckily, I do not live in his state, so it is of little importance to me, except as an indicator of how politicians think (or not).

[bUU]

Originally Posted by Redraven

I will admit, there is a difference between arithmetic and algebra or calculus, or even "advanced math". But, for many of us, the difference between mathematics and arithmetic is so minor as to be negligible.

However, clinging to that pedantic rationale for criticizing Markey makes your perspective just as esoteric as you're insinuating Markey's statement is.

Call it a wash and walk away.

[HappyTexan]

Yes there is a difference.
You have to learn your Arithmetic before you can learn Math.

Arithmetic is add, subtract, multiply and divide numbers.
Math is solving a quadratic equation and graphing the results.

And you have many a Math teacher saying the kids can't learn Math because they didn't learn the arithmetic.
Hopefully you understand that now.

Can't find the LCD or GCF of a fraction if you don't know your times table.

[Bulldogdad]

Arithmetic is to mathmatics what spelling is to writing.

was that an anology?