Mathematics - What Use Is It?

Discussion in 'Education & Learning' started by Tom Locke, Mar 10, 2016.

  1. Bobby Cole

    Bobby Cole Supreme Member
    Task Force Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2015
    Messages:
    13,053
    Likes Received:
    24,624
    Perhaps I learned a bit late in life that there is literally nothing that exists that cannot be explained in mathematical terminology. When quantum physics came in to play following the classic a whole new world of dynamics and "mechanics" explaining a new world that cannot be seen by the best of instrumentation but we know now that they exist.
    Just one example would be the neutrino or the "God particle" which was mathematically proven years before a physical proof was possible.
    Because of the new ability to detect real consciousness in humans there should be no more T. Schaivo incidents ever again in future history but the science came from mathematical processes involving quantum bio-photon entanglement and neural quantum mechanics before any real way of detection was possible.

    Everything that man builds is a result of a mathematical paradigm: The computer, TV, the automobile, aircraft, cell phones, just to name a couple of today's wonderful conveniences were mathematical contrivances before they were actually built.

    Heck, even the food we eat is labeled in mathematical terms when we see calories, carbs, protein, sugars, and good old red dye #6 just under where it says, "hot dogs." Instead of eating hot dogs, physics is a lot safer and a lot more fun to consume.

    Got a head banger for ya.......... Since Pi is an infinite number, the area of a circle is infinite as well. There is no absolute correct answer for the area of a circle.
     
    #31
  2. Chrissy Cross

    Chrissy Cross Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2015
    Messages:
    19,089
    Likes Received:
    18,917
    It isn't infinite though, it's between 3 and 4. :)
     
    #32
  3. Frank Sanoica

    Frank Sanoica Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2016
    Messages:
    9,297
    Likes Received:
    10,619
    @Bobby Cole @Chrissy Page : Bobby, an interesting proposal! My response to it is that, yes, there is no numerical equivalent designating Pi, but no, it is not an infinite quantity, when expressed algebraically. If the Circumferencer, C = Pi (D), then Pi = C / D, which is an exact expression. But practically, no.

    Crissy, you might like this one. Early in my first marriage, my young wife (18 when we married), born in Germany, having come to America at 16 with her folks and brother and sister, was brilliantly pragmatic. She spoke no English upon arrival, but became pretty quickly proficient due to my wanting to be with her constantly, and encouraging her. We happened to see a weather forecaster one day proclaiming that tomorrow there was a 75% chance of rain. Sue looked quizzical, then said, "He's wrong". Why was he wrong, I asked. Because it will rain or will not rain, so it's 50%.

    I could not fault her thinking, as the guy was usually wrong, anyway! Frank
     
    #33
  4. Chrissy Cross

    Chrissy Cross Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2015
    Messages:
    19,089
    Likes Received:
    18,917
    Isn't 3.14 between 3 and 4?
     
    #34
  5. Chrissy Cross

    Chrissy Cross Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2015
    Messages:
    19,089
    Likes Received:
    18,917
    There is, I actually knew 20 numbers after the decimal by heart not that long ago. Grandson had to memorize it and I was helping.
     
    #35
  6. Bobby Cole

    Bobby Cole Supreme Member
    Task Force Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2015
    Messages:
    13,053
    Likes Received:
    24,624
    Hmmm.........I thought I replied to Chrissy but, oh well, the more the merrier I say.
    One of Zeno's proposals, a paradox, (to paraphrase) is that if a person stepped half the distance between any two given points the later point would never be reached.

    With Pi, you are indeed correct that it is between 3.14 and ............somewhere under 4.
     
    #36
    Frank Sanoica likes this.
  7. Bobby Cole

    Bobby Cole Supreme Member
    Task Force Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2015
    Messages:
    13,053
    Likes Received:
    24,624
    In base I do agree when Pi is proposed to be a finite value rather than an irrational number which is infinite. Man I love math.....! How about a physics board Ken??? Not a physic Ken........ physics.
     
    #37
    Frank Sanoica likes this.
  8. Sifu Phil Bonifonte

    Sifu Phil Bonifonte Veteran Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2015
    Messages:
    182
    Likes Received:
    344
    He's still recovering from that birthday bash you folks threw for him. *hic*

    Braaaaaiiiiins ...
     
    #38
  9. Sheldon Scott

    Sheldon Scott Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Mar 13, 2015
    Messages:
    2,995
    Likes Received:
    4,756
    That's a different take on the dropped ball theory I've posted before. A ball dropped from any height, before it can reach the floor it must first reach a point halfway to the floor. Then from that point it must again reach a point halfway to the floor. And so on.
     
    #39
  10. Bobby Cole

    Bobby Cole Supreme Member
    Task Force Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2015
    Messages:
    13,053
    Likes Received:
    24,624
    Sorry, somehow I missed that post @Sheldon Scott, but that said I love the paradox of "half distance" whoever broke the news first. One of the amusing parts of Zeno of Alea is that he was a philosopher more than a mathematician. Living in the 5th century his list of paradoxes bridged upon quantum mathematics which wasn't even a sparkle in the brains of mathematicians until centuries later.

    In practical life the half distance scenario is an amusing quandary but in the quantum world it is quite possible that he was correct but how could he know that unless he .........was.....an.......(fade in the twilight zone music).....advanced alien from who knows where?
     
    #40
    Last edited: Mar 13, 2016
    Sheldon Scott likes this.
  11. Frank Sanoica

    Frank Sanoica Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2016
    Messages:
    9,297
    Likes Received:
    10,619
    We were required to take several courses related to Infinite Series Expansions, quite like the "half-way" there ideas discussed here. Several "tests" were applied to determine whether a given Series was convergent, approached a finite number (I guess), or divergent, going on forever (I guess again). These courses were required to get an Associate in Applied Science Degree from DeVry Technical Institute. Trudging my way through Differential Calculus, I mentioned it one day while at my Dentist. He remarked, he had to pass Calculus, too, for his Medical Degree, and never used a bit of it in practice!

    Frank
     
    #41
    Bobby Cole likes this.
  12. Bobby Cole

    Bobby Cole Supreme Member
    Task Force Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2015
    Messages:
    13,053
    Likes Received:
    24,624
    One of the most interesting things going on in our educational system is the "common core" frenzy that is being taught to our younger students.
    Instead of teaching the basic rudiments of math they are teaching conceptual mathematics which entails much of the same thing that higher systems such as geometry, trig, and calculus does.
    In my opinion, a young brain without any prior experience with the basics cannot totally grasp a concept. It's too bad that within our government educational system that a couple of calculus guys haven't provided a model noting the degradation of context or rote knowledge processes by those who are subjected to the new system.

    Of course, I didn't mention the fact that most parents have to take the dern course too so they can help their 8 year olds with their homework.
     
    #42
  13. Frank Sanoica

    Frank Sanoica Supreme Member
    Registered

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2016
    Messages:
    9,297
    Likes Received:
    10,619
    Selfish, and self-centered as I am, and always have been, I enjoyed my freedom too much as a young man, vacations several times a year, and felt early-on that having a child to raise would either result in the kid being denied the best attentions a parent should give, and that my life of luxury would therefore have to change, or I would have to be an inattentive, poor parent, something I could not live with.

    These considerations only lasted for two years of marriage, at which time we "inherited" two kids, my wife's brother and sister. They were not small children, however.

    Frank
     
    #43
  14. Bobby Cole

    Bobby Cole Supreme Member
    Task Force Registered

    Joined:
    Jan 21, 2015
    Messages:
    13,053
    Likes Received:
    24,624
    I am pretty sure that your scenario concerning the addition to your family is not what God meant by "go forth and multiply". Given the power of one, yourself, and the necessary calculations needed to subtract the two relatives might be somewhat radical for it could cause some division between yourself and your wife. :)

    Who says we do not need math?
     
    #44
    Last edited: Mar 14, 2016
    Bonnie Thomas and Frank Sanoica like this.

Share This Page