Why study math?

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I am studying math because, to me, math represents the search for truth in the world. "Truth is beauty, beauty truth, that is all ye know on Earth, and all ye need to know."-John Keats. Math is the one subject of human knowledge where we can claim absolute, indisputable proof. In my introductory genetics class, essentially every topic studied in the textbook includes a qualifier to the effect of "we don't really know how this works" or "we still haven't quite figured this one out, but here's our best guess." Natural science is tentative and uncertain, the liberal arts are subjective, math is true.


If you voted "Other/More than one of the above," please elaborate.

I love math. I love getting a definitive answer. It is very satisfying.

I believe that the Universe is. Through Logic we derive two things from the Universe, Perception and Understanding. I conceptualize Perception as having two derivative aspects, Pathos and Ethos. Understanding has two similarly constituent parts, Math and Science.

Math and Science define each other, but they are both interpretations of the Universe. Why study Math is the the same as 'why study the universe' or 'why understand'.

There are a lot of answers to those questions. I can not settle on one.

Math is the poetry of the universe.

What other reason is there?

Sorry?

...

Is there something else to study?

For all the people voting other/more than one of the above:

Which of the above all apply? Or, what other reasons make math worth studying?

Other: While most math learned in school isn't directly applied to much of anything, the problem solving process involved in learning math can be indirectly applied to many applications in life both in a career and out.

And who are the two blasphemers who deny the glory and perfection of math? Burn them at the stake!

I clicked other, since I feel it can get high-paying jobs coupled with it's applicable in other fields (Chemical Engineering for me), and because I just enjoy it. Doing arbitrary logic problems on a notepad in the middle of a family dinner's entertaining.

I agree with the above four reasons, but have some reservations for the "high-paying jobs". The best way to succeed in college is to take the course which interests you the most, not necessarily what can get you a high-paying job.

As for me, in my college I don't just major in mathematics but it's nearly everything I do. I've spoken to students doing arts subjects and as difficult as they think (and sometimes I think) studying mathematics can be I really don't think I could hack it in an arts course - especially philosophy, which would certainly be my arts course of choice. It seems I'd have to write lots of responses to texts that I have great difficulty formulating a definitive response to, taking viewpoints that I don't necessarily agree with. People often speak to me of paying attention to what viewpoint and/or style the lecturer seems to favour, which just seems like a terrible way to learn anything. At undergraduate level mathematics seems a lot more fun than that, from where I stand.

Though obviously you can see how comfortable I feel taking viewpoints that I can feel certain of in comparison to writing an essay from a stance I don't necessarily agree with, I think you should be careful when referring to "absolute truth". Mathematics still relies on basic assumptions, for example a lot of it relies on the axiom of choice which is logically independent of the ZF axioms.

And of course an undergraduate degree in mathematics can lead you to a lot of other disciplines, sort of through the back door, in a way that many other degrees don't seem to. Certainly in terms of proportion a lot more mathematicians these days enter philosophy than philosophers enter mathematics. Then there's engineering and all of science, and a lot of "social sciences" too.

I've heard it's not even proven yet that 1+1=2 i.e; "nothing is certain", "the truth is a lie"
..and so on.. ring a bell? Anyone?

Well, I'm open to the idea that "truth is a lie" but then you'd have to persuade me, and I don't think you can.

Besides, a lot of mathematicians don't really see solid truth in what they do. Philosophically speaking they just see a system that works, like rules in chess.

Because people with mathematical knowledge can get high-paying jobs.

Because it is interesting/fun. (This I think is the best reason to study math)

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

I selected:
Other/more than one of the above.

I hate math and so I choose to avoid fields where it is commonly used. But more power to those that enjoy it.

- People with mathematical knowledge can get high-paying jobs.

- Math has applications to other fields such as science, engineering, and economics.

- It is one of the most useful tools I have for communicating the practical aspects of a situation or an idea (I leave discussion of the human aspects to HR).

- If a person can not balance a checkbook, set up a budget, or determine the maintenance costs of an investment, then they have to trust someone else to do it for them, and risk financial abuse, fraud, or waste.

I would like to be interested in math but I am not. I have great difficulty with anything above basic algebra and math was the only subject in school that could make me cry out of frustration. I've managed to get through a bachelor's degree and the first half of a master's without having to deal with anything other than statistics (which is really easy). I have never taken a calculus class and don't ever want to. I'm not saying that I'm anti-math, just that I have failed at it so many times that even thinking about it upsets me.