The ways in which mathematical ideas are represented is
fundamental to how people can understand and use those
ideas. Consider how much more difficult multiplication is
using Roman numerals (for those who have not worked
extensively with them) than using Arabic base-ten
notation. Many of the representations we now take for
granted—such as numbers expressed in base-ten or
binary form, fractions, algebraic expressions and
equations, graphs, and spreadsheet displays—are the
result of a process of cultural refinement that took place
over many years. When students gain access to
mathematical representations and the ideas they
represent, they have a set of tools that significantly
expand their capacity to think mathematically.