We explain what mathematics is and in what fields this science can be applied. Also, what are their branches of study.
What is Mathematics?
The etymology of the word mathematics refers to Greek mathemawhich can be translated as “study of a topic” . It is defined as the formal and exact science that, based on the principles of logic, studies the properties and relationships established between abstract entities. This concept of 'abstract entities' includes numbers, symbols and geometric figures, among others.
The field of study of mathematics changed over time: Until the 19th century it was limited to the study of quantities and spaces but with scientific advances, fields of mathematics appeared that exceeded those two, which required their redefinition.
Mathematics has a lot to do with other sciences. First of all, It relies mainly on logic and in their strategies for proof and inference. This is why mathematics is an objective science: it can only be modified when the existence of mathematical errors is demonstrated, for which a large part of the scientific paradigm with which one works must surely be modified.
He method then lies in analyze these abstract entities to produce hypotheses and conjectures make deductions, and thus get closer to mathematical knowledge, which, as has been said, is assumed to be exact and true. These deductions are carried out with the support of definitions (limitations of something with respect to everything else) and axioms (premises accepted without the need for a demonstration).
In what fields is mathematics applied?
The application of mathematics appears in almost all areas of life. Let's see a small review:
- In everyday life Where mathematical calculations, or measurements and comparisons are made with great assiduity. So omnipresent is mathematics in our lives that many experts consider the absence of mathematical notions as a variant of illiteracy.
- In the exact and natural sciences In many cases (such as engineering or physics), its very existence is due to the focus provided by mathematics. In biology or chemistry, mathematics is also extremely important.
- In the social sciences Like economics or psychology, which are based on mathematical concepts.
- Even in other disciplines and in the arts (music, sculpture, drawing) Mathematical resources have been and are used.
What are the branches of mathematics?
Mathematics is subdivided into different branches, which appeared over time and are dedicated to specific parts of this science. These are some of them:
- Arithmetic Understands the study of numbers. In addition to natural numbers, it includes all rational, real and complex numbers. The operations performed with these numbers are included in this branch.
- Geometry It includes the study of figures and their links with space. It includes trigonometry and descriptive geometry, among others.
- Probability and statistics It includes the analysis of trends based on sampling; It is of great interest to the social sciences.
- Algebra It is the branch that is dedicated to analyzing structures, performing arithmetic operations through letters or symbols.
The A person who dedicates himself to the study of mathematics is called a mathematician . Pythagoras, Archimedes, René Descartes and Isaac Newton can be mentioned as outstanding mathematicians throughout history, who contributed important concepts to the subject.
Finally, an event is said to be mathematical or to occur mathematically. when it occurs with great accuracy or regularity standing out precisely for that attribute.
