mathematician

Everyday

1. A mathematician is a person who studies maths deeply or whose job is doing maths, finding new ideas, proving things or solving hard problems. tree →
2. Someone who is very good at maths can be called a good mathematician. tree →

In the lessons

In maths lessons, teachers may say «think like a mathematician»: notice patterns, ask «what if?», explain and prove. In history of maths, famous mathematicians include Pythagoras, Hypatia, Ada Lovelace, Alan Turing, Katherine Johnson and Srinivasa Ramanujan. Phrases: «a great mathematician», «young mathematician».

Examples

• Katherine Johnson was a mathematician who helped send astronauts into space. tree →
• A mathematician checks that a proof works for every number. tree →
• Our class has some keen young mathematicians. tree →
• Pythagoras was an ancient Greek mathematician. tree →
• Mathematicians use patterns to solve problems. tree →
• Ada Lovelace was a mathematician and the first computer programmer. tree →

Note

Countable noun. Spelled «mathematic-ian», with «-cian» said like «-shun»: «math-uh-muh-TISH-un». UK short form «maths», US «math», but the person is a mathematician everywhere.