 A Mathematician's Lament

"A Mathematician's Lament" is an influential essay written by Paul Lockhart in 2002. In this essay, Lockhart argues that the way mathematics is typically taught in schools is fundamentally flawed and detrimental to students' understanding and appreciation of the subject. He criticizes the emphasis on rote memorization, standardized testing, and the mechanical application of formulas, which he believes stifles creativity and the inherent beauty of mathematics.