Mathematics (nonfiction)

Mathematics (from Greek μάθημα máthēma, "knowledge, study, learning") is the study of topics such as numbers, structure, space, time, motion, change, and measurement.

Definition

There is a range of views among mathematicians (nonfiction) and philosophers as to the exact scope and definition of mathematics.

Patterns and conjectures

Mathematicians seek out patterns and use them to formulate new conjectures.

Mathematical proof

Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proof.

Physics

When mathematical structures are good models of real phenomena, then mathematical reasoning can provide insight or predictions about nature.

See Physics.

Fundamental principles

Through the use of abstraction and logic (nonfiction), mathematics developed from:

• Counting
• Calculation
• Measurement
• The systematic study of the shapes and motions of physical objects

History

Practical mathematics has been a human activity for as far back as written records exist.

Effort required

The research required to solve mathematical problems can take years or even centuries of sustained inquiry.

Nonfiction cross-reference

• Algorithm (nonfiction)
• Cellular automaton (nonfiction)
• Computation (nonfiction)
• Fractal (nonfiction)
• Geometry (nonfiction)
• Gnomon (nonfiction)
• Logic (nonfiction)
• Mandelbrot set (nonfiction)
• Mathematician (nonfiction)
• Number (nonfiction)
• Outsider mathematician (nonfiction)
• Pi (nonfiction)
• Prenex normal form (nonfiction)
• Turing machine (nonfiction)

Fiction cross-references

• Axiom Antics
• Gnomon Algorithm
• Pi disaster
• Mathematician
• Mathematics
• Poem
• Three is the Color of My True Love's Hair (nonfiction)

External links

• Mathematics @ Wikipedia

YouTube

• How Not to Be Wrong: The Power of Mathematical Thinking @ YouTube
• The Math Mystery: Mathematics in Nature and Universe