Do you consider yourself a mathematician?

I was asked these questions today:

• Using your own words, define mathematics and explain what it means to you.
• Do you see yourself as a mathematician? Why or why not?
• What knowledge, skills, and understanding do you require to be a mathematician?

My initial response was, “NO, no and no.” But then I thought about it.

I know how to balance a checkbook, measure ingredients for a recipe, and can figure out how long it takes me to get from point A to point B.

 

I also sew, which requires using measuring tape and a yard stick. And speaking of yard sticks, I can keep track of how my grand kids are growing; I measure it on the wall behind the door.  And, I am pretty good at determining scale on a map and converting inches to miles. 

 Furthermore, I can keep track of the percentage of growth in our financial portfolio. 

I don't hold a math degree, but I do know math. I feel like a casual mathematician, rather than a formal one. When I stopped to think about it, I am way more “mathy” than I realized. However, I wouldn't really consider myself a mathematician, but maybe a mathemanaturalist (my own word). I study math in the wild.


What about you? Do you see yourself as a mathematician? Why or why not? Respond in the comments.