Mathematics in Our World
Overview: What is mathematics?
Historical Perspective
- Mathematics originates from the Greek term "mathemata," encompassing all knowledge or subjects of study.
- It involves the study of quantitative or spatial issues.
- Numeration is the earliest form of mathematics.
- Possible explanation for the development of numeration systems:
- Ancient tribesmen were hunters.
- Climate changes forced them to shift their living patterns.
- Hunters transitioned into farmers, focusing on harvests and herds.
- They needed to determine land dimensions.
- Farmers also observed seasonal changes.
- Self-sufficient agricultural communities gradually evolved into larger units with a single government.
- Mathematics arose from the need to address practical quantitative necessities.
Philosophical Perspective
Major Schools of Mathematical Thought
- Mathematical Platonism
- Intuitionism
- Logicism
- Formalism
Mathematical Platonism
- Mathematical Platonism posits:
- The existence of abstract objects (nonspatiotemporal, nonphysical, and nonmental).
- The existence of true mathematical sentences that accurately describe these objects.
- Various formulations, reformulations, and antimotions are attributed to Platonism.
- Three theses of mathematical platonism:
- Existence: Mathematical objects exist.
- Abstractness: Mathematical objects are abstract.
- Independence: Mathematical objects are independent of intelligent agents, their language, thought, and practices.
Intuitionism
- Founded by philosopher Immanuel Kant.
- Mathematics originates from the human mind, not the physical world.
- The mind possesses forms of space and time, called modes of perception or intuition.
- Metaphysical Foundations of Natural Science (1786).
- The world of science consists of sense impressions arranged and controlled by the mind.
- Led by Dutch mathematician Luitzen Egbertus Jan Brouwer in the early 20th Century.
- Every mathematical construction (real numbers, proofs, theorems, etc.) is a mental construction.
- Infinite constructions can never be completed, but arbitrarily large finite initial parts can.
- Intuitionism rejects non-constructive existence proofs.
Logicism
- Spearheaded by English philosophers Bertrand Russell and Alfred North Whitehead.
- Logicism asserts that everything in mathematics is derivable from principles of logic.
- Logicians view mathematics as an activity to be developed.
- Russell and Whitehead authored Principia Mathematica – Foundation of Mathematics.
- Logicians argue that logic can provide definitions of primitive concepts, from which first principles can be derived.
- Strong logicism states that all mathematical truths in a particular branch are logical truths, while weak logicism isolates truth only within the scope of a theorem.
Formalism
- Founded by German mathematician David Hilbert.
- Mathematics should be developed through axiomatic systems.
- Hilbert asserts that whole numbers are inherently involved in the development of logic.
- Numbers can be symbols, and physical objects can represent numbers.
- Mathematics cannot be deduced from logic alone; self-evident statements (postulates or axioms) are necessary for systematic development.
- Philosophically, Mathematics stands on the establishment of reality and truth.
Conceptual Perspective
Common Concepts of Mathematics
- Quantity
- Structure
- Space
- Change
- Foundations
Mathematics of Quantity
- Arithmetic
- Numeration (including Hind-Arabic, Roman, Greek, Egyptian, Babylonian, Chinese, and Magar systems)
- Examples of numeration in different systems (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 50, 100)
Mathematics of Structure
- Linear Algebra
- Abstract Algebra
Mathematics of Space
- Geometry
- Trigonometry
Mathematics of Change
- Differential Calculus
- Integral Calculus
Mathematical Foundations
- Set Theory
- Mathematical Logic
Practical Perspective
Settings for Practical Accomplishments
- Home
- School
- Work
- Community
Home Setting
- Family Budget
- Time Telling
- Electricity and Water Meter Reading
- Use of Home Appliances
- Baking and Cooking
- Medicine In-take
- D.I.Y. Crafts
- Wood Work
- Garden Work
- Cleaning and Maintenance
School Setting
- Reporting of Grades
- Teachers’ Evaluation
- Task Scheduling
- Enrolment Report
- Employment Report
- File Cataloguing
- Book Cataloguing
- Tracking of Allowance and Expenses
- Canteen Sales Report
- Quick Math in Practical Arts
Work Setting
- Travelling to Workplace
- Sales Report
- Tracking of Expenses
- Payroll
- Market Research
- Project Evaluation
- Task Scheduling
- Employment Report
- Employee’s Evaluation
- Office Design
Community Setting
- Election
- Census Report
- Construction Project
- Task Scheduling
- Crime Statistics
- Price Setting
- Tax Collection
- Outreach Programs
- Expenses in the Market
- Travelling to Community Establishments
- Mathematics is a tool to address particular problems or concerns in our everyday living.