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Stanford University

Introduction to Mathematical Thinking

Learn how to think the way mathematicians do – a powerful cognitive process developed over thousands of years. Mathematical thinking is not the same as doing mathematics – at least not as mathematics is typically presented in our school system. School math typically focuses on learning procedures to solve highly stereotyped problems. Professional mathematicians think a certain way to solve real problems, problems that can arise from the everyday world, or from science, or from within mathematics itself. The key to success in school math is to learn to think inside-the-box. In contrast, a key feature of mathematical thinking is thinking outside-the-box – a valuable ability in today’s world. This course helps to develop that crucial way of thinking.

Status: Mathematical Theory & Analysis
Status: Deductive Reasoning
IntermediateCourse39 hours

Featured reviews

GD

5.0Reviewed May 10, 2017

Great course ! Provided new skills on how to think about maths and improved my overall confidence with the subject. I feel like I can go further in the study of mathematics thanks to this.

MF

5.0Reviewed Aug 26, 2017

Great course, it's really shows the way how to think in mathematical rigor. It gave me an intuition about what Mathematics is itself. Thank you Profesor Keith Devlin, you are a great teacher !

PD

5.0Reviewed Jun 30, 2020

It has help evaluate what I put into decision in any applicable context. Since I've noted what decision I make and how outcome can be made to vary when I consider all components in a isolated manner.

KR

5.0Reviewed May 6, 2020

We are still in the early days of MOOCS. Prof. Devlin Makes sure that you get the best possible education despite the limitations of the platform. You'll really learn something here.

ZE

5.0Reviewed Jan 17, 2017

i just had taken this course in the college and i don't understand a lot of things but after i started in the course a lot of thinking going to be more clear , thank you for this course .

MN

5.0Reviewed Jun 25, 2021

This is an amazing course if you want to start with advanced mathematics especially want to improve in proof writing. which is one of the most important skills required for a graduate program.

JW

5.0Reviewed Jul 31, 2020

Started off fairly simple, but as you progress throughout the weeks, it gets challenging. This course has taught me critical thinking, and skills that can be applied to other subjects/modules

SI

5.0Reviewed Mar 26, 2025

Great course that everyone should take in their lives. Teaches skills that are necessary not just in math, but in all walks of life. Excellent pacing and course material. Teaches the topics very well.

AM

5.0Reviewed Nov 24, 2019

It was an amazing course! Lots of interesting content. The content is also explained really well, i found it really easy to understand. The assessments are a little challenging, but reasonably sized.

AS

5.0Reviewed Nov 17, 2022

It was an excellent course and it is something that I love in the end. It teaches a lot about the idea of math is a subject that should not be feared. It is a subject that should be understood.

ID

4.0Reviewed Jul 10, 2022

Although I'm a 9th grade student and found many concepts hard, the course was very informative and interesting. Thank you coursera for offering me the opportunity to take this course with stanford.

JJ

5.0Reviewed Apr 16, 2019

In the last lecture, based on what he previous taught, the professor give us the definition of limitation which is the beginning of the Calculus. I wish I taken this course before university.

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