Why study math?

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Why is the study of mathematics worthwhile?

It isn't.	11%	[ 6 ]
Because people with mathematical knowledge can get high-paying jobs.	2%	[ 1 ]
Because it is interesting/fun.	13%	[ 7 ]
Because it is possible to have complete certainty and thus to arrive at absolute truth.	11%	[ 6 ]
Because it has applications to other fields such as science, engineering, and economics.	25%	[ 13 ]
Other/more than one of the above.	38%	[ 20 ]

Total votes : 53

Orwell
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23 Dec 2008, 10:08 pm

AG, did you ever answer the thread question?

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Shiggily
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23 Dec 2008, 11:23 pm

twoshots wrote:

Well, as for truth, it is dubious to say the least to claim that math is true (not that that's going to stop me), but I don't regard anything as understood if it has no mathematical formulation. In that sense math gives the substrate of all real knowledge, which in itself carries a bit of profound weight.

I am like that. I wouldn't say math is the ultimate truth. But I think it is as close as we can get.

Awesomelyglorious
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24 Dec 2008, 1:54 am

Shiggily wrote:

I presume you put a subjective amount because you didn't want people to know how much you had. Compared to the average college student Calc 2 is a significant amount of math.

Not really, I mean, I don't want people to know how much math I've had, but that's because I am a secretive person. In any case, because I am being put up to question, I've taken up to multivariable calculus, taken ordinary differential equations, and an upper division linear algebra course(some colleges have both a lower division course on matrices and such and an upper level linear algebra course), plus I've taken math courses outside of the math department, such as applied engineering statistics, and econometrics, and I used to be an electrical engineering major, so I've taken math-based courses such as Physics mech and e&m, and a class on digital signals.

This isn't a math major, and it isn't quite a math minor, but the overall sum of the background is close(another subjective term, I know) to a math minor, and well above the background of most college students.

Awesomelyglorious
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24 Dec 2008, 2:03 am

Orwell wrote:

AG, did you ever answer the thread question?

Yes, I said that math is important because it has applications. I think that math, despite all of the glory that some give it, is just less important than social sciences or humanities.

Orwell
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24 Dec 2008, 12:54 pm

AG, most college students are idiots, and having a better background in math than most of them isn't anything special.

Awesomelyglorious wrote:

I think that math, despite all of the glory that some give it, is just less important than social sciences or humanities.

Lies of the devil.

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twoshots
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24 Dec 2008, 12:58 pm

Humanities has importance? :scratch:

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khelben1979
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24 Dec 2008, 3:02 pm

I chose:
Because it has applications to other fields such as science, engineering, and economics.

When it comes to math. I need to improve my own knowledge in this field to be able to study subjects in the future which require that I understand a deeper level of mathematical thinking.

When I'm thinking of math studies I think about NASA and that these people really have a need for mathematical thinking in their work.

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24 Dec 2008, 3:12 pm

There has been a discussion at SFN.net where they have discussed math including mentioning a list which contains useful math links.

Check this out.

Interesting?

Awesomelyglorious
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24 Dec 2008, 4:43 pm

Orwell wrote:

AG, most college students are idiots, and having a better background in math than most of them isn't anything special.

Orwell, most people are idiots, and the very term "idiot" is subjective as to the average dog I am sure the average person is a giant genius, however, in any case, college students have more education than the majority of mankind and most people within their nation. Having a better background than the average college student has, puts me into the top 10% of our society in terms of math knowledge easily. In any case, Orwell, it seems rather stupid to have an argument over subjectivity, particularly given that it seems quite possible that so far I've studied more math than you have.

twoshots wrote:

Humanities has importance? scratch

Yes, that's why you've occasionally quoted Nietzsche. If it weren't then you would have never seen any interest in such a man.

Hector
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24 Dec 2008, 5:07 pm

Awesomelyglorious wrote:

I think that math, despite all of the glory that some give it, is just less important than social sciences or humanities.

Do you mean less important than any one of the humanities, or less important than all of them at once (including philosophy). I wouldn't dispute the latter.

Orwell
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24 Dec 2008, 6:10 pm

Awesomelyglorious wrote:

In any case, Orwell, it seems rather stupid to have an argument over subjectivity, particularly given that it seems quite possible that so far I've studied more math than you have.

Thus far, yes, but I went to a crap high school and have only had one semester of college so far. By this time next year that situation will have reversed itself.

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Shiggily
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24 Dec 2008, 7:44 pm

Awesomelyglorious wrote:

In any case, Orwell, it seems rather stupid to have an argument over subjectivity, particularly given that it seems quite possible that so far I've studied more math than you have.

yet you argue it with me...

lolz

Shiggily
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24 Dec 2008, 7:51 pm

twoshots wrote:

Humanities has importance? :scratch:

it is interesting, but I haven't found much of it worth anything. I mean I read Nietzsche but that was boring and useless aside from a few viewpoints his wanton ramblings weren't all that cohesive... just really angry.
I suppose he might be good for an occasional quote.
I like to read, so I like the humanities, because in between math and science books... it provides some light enjoyable reading.

"Dean, to the physics department. "Why do I always have to give you guys so much money, for laboratories and expensive equipment and stuff. Why couldn't you be like the math department - all they need is money for pencils, paper and waste-paper baskets. Or even better, like the philosophy department. All they need are pencils and paper." "

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24 Dec 2008, 8:01 pm

Hector wrote:

Do you mean less important than any one of the humanities, or less important than all of them at once (including philosophy). I wouldn't dispute the latter.

All of them, I am not dividing them.

Awesomelyglorious
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24 Dec 2008, 8:12 pm

Orwell wrote:

Thus far, yes, but I went to a crap high school and have only had one semester of college so far. By this time next year that situation will have reversed itself.

Orwell, still, this fact prevents you from making fun of my store of knowledge. You can't say "well, in the future I'll know X" because it is irrelevant to your present knowledge. In the present, my level of math knowledge is not something you can make much fun of, or dismiss while upholding the importance of your own opinions.

Awesomelyglorious
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24 Dec 2008, 8:18 pm

Shiggily wrote:

yet you argue it with me...

lolz

That depends upon the subject. Honestly, for one, I am a bit contentious, and even if I don't dispute a claim, I might still add my opinion and reference opposing arguments even if I don't agree with them. Another element is that some subjective ideas might not presented as subjective, or could be presented as such in a manner I find insulting, leading to problems. A third element is that subjectivity has methodological purposes wherein it is mixed with some level of objectivity, such as with cultural relativism is anthropology or value in economics. Now to be honest, I have barely talked to you compared to some other members of WP, so I haven't really formed a relational strategy with you, as would be common with other members.

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