Sure, some [teachers] could give the standard limit…
![“Sure, some [teachers] could give the standard limit definitions, but they [the students] clearly did not understand the definitions - and it would be a remarkable student who did, since it took mathematicians a couple of thousand years to sort out the notion of a limit, and I think most of us who…” quote by Keith Devlin](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/bfe/keith-devlin-19829_couple_sure-some-teachers-could-give-the-standa_2383287.jpg)
“Sure, some [teachers] could give the standard limit definitions, but they [the students] clearly did not understand the definitions - and it would be a remarkable student who did, since it took mathematicians a couple of thousand years to sort out the notion of a limit, and I think most of us who call ourselves professional mathematicians really only understand it when we start to teach the stuff, either in graduate school or beyond.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Students often recite definitions without grasping underlying concepts, revealing gaps in deep understanding.
In simple terms: Students may repeat definitions without truly understanding them.
Key Takeaway
Focus on conceptual insight, not just formal definitions.
Themes
education
mathematics
understanding
teaching
learning
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
educational
pedagogical
When to use this quote
- lecture planning
- student tutoring
- curriculum design
- assessment
- professional development
Key Concepts
conceptual grasp
pedagogy
epistemology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can educators assess true conceptual understanding?
- What strategies promote deep comprehension?
A Different Perspective
Students may still memorize without internalizing meaning.