Mathematics
hideMathematics is the science and study of quantity, structure, space, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns, formulate new conjectures, and establish truth by rigorous deduction from appropriately chosen axioms and definitions.
There is debate over whether mathematical objects such as numbers and points really exist or whether they are manmade. The mathematician Benjamin Peirce called mathematics "the science that draws necessary conclusions". Albert Einstein, on the other hand, stated that "as far as the laws of mathematics refer to reality, they are not certain; and as far as they are certain, they do not refer to reality."
Through the use of abstraction and logical reasoning, mathematics evolved from counting, calculation, measurement, and the systematic study of the shapes and motions of physical objects. Practical mathematics has been a human activity for as far back as written records go (see: History of Mathematics). Rigorous arguments first appeared in Greek mathematics, most notably in Euclid's Elements. Mathematics continued to develop, in fitful bursts, until the Renaissance, when mathematical innovations interacted with new scientific discoveries, leading to an acceleration in research that continues to the present day.
Today, mathematics is used throughout the world as an essential tool in many fields, including natural science, engineering, medicine, and the social sciences. Applied mathematics, the branch of mathematics concerned with application of mathematical knowledge to other fields, inspires and makes use of new mathematical discoveries and sometimes leads to the development of entirely new disciplines. Mathematicians also engage in pure mathematics, or mathematics for its own sake, without having any application in mind, although practical applications for what began as pure mathematics are often discovered later.
For more information about Mathematics, read the full article at
Wikipedia.
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News tagged with math
US culture derails girl math whizzes
Oct 10, 2008 |
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A culture of neglect and, at some age levels, outright social ostracism, is derailing a generation of students, especially girls, deemed the very best in mathematics, according to a new study.
UQ researchers break the law -- of physics
Jul 06, 2009 |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- Two UQ Science researchers have proved two famous physical laws that have been widely used for the past 25 years do not always work.
Inventor Demonstrates Humanoid Robot's Latest AI Abilities (w/ Video)
Technology / Computer Sciences
Aug 25, 2009 |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- In August 2007, Le Trung invented Aiko, a Yumecom, or "Dream Computer Robot." Although it took only a month and a half to build Aiko's exterior, the artificial intelligence software has been ...
Unraveling 'math dyslexia'
Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry
Sep 24, 2008 |
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Although school has been back for less than a month, it is likely that many children are already experiencing frustration and confusion in math class. Research at The University of Western Ontario in London, Canada could ...
Tracking the reasons many girls avoid science and math
Sep 05, 2008 |
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Most parents and many teachers believe that if middle-school and high-school girls show no interest in science or math, there's little anyone can do about it. New research by a team that includes vocational ...
At the magical age of eight, belief synchs with behavior
Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry
Oct 16, 2008 |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- I think I can, I think I can. Believe. You can fly if you just believe. I won't die if you just believe.
Full-day kindergarteners' reading, math gains fade by 3rd grade
Jul 15, 2008 |
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Children in full-day kindergarten have slightly better reading and math skills than children in part-day kindergarten, but these initial academic benefits diminish soon after the children leave kindergarten. This loss is ...
Kids with ADHD need to fidget, study says
May 26, 2009 |
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If you've got a kid with ADHD, you've probably spent countless hours pleading with him to sit still. Well, stop it.
Culture, not biology, underpins math gender gap
Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry
Jun 01, 2009 |
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For more than a century, the notion that females are innately less capable than males at doing mathematics, especially at the highest levels, has persisted in even the loftiest circles.
Study: No gender differences in math performance
Jul 24, 2008 |
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We've all heard it. Many of us in fact believe it. Girls just aren't as good at math as boys. But is it true? After sifting through mountains of data - including SAT results and math scores from 7 million students who were ...
When 2 + 2 = major anxiety: Math performance in stressful situations
Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry
Dec 09, 2008 |
4.7 / 5 (7) |
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Imagine you are sitting in the back of a classroom, daydreaming about the weekend. Then, out of nowhere, the teacher calls upon you to come to the front the room and solve a math problem. In front of everyone. If just reading ...
Scientists harness logic of 'Sudoku' math puzzle to vastly enhance genome-sequencing capability
Jun 24, 2009 |
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A math-based game that has taken the world by storm with its ability to delight and puzzle may now be poised to revolutionize the fast-changing world of genome sequencing and the field of medical genetics, suggests a new ...
An animated penguin boosts kids' math scores
Other Sciences / Social Sciences
Oct 01, 2009 |
5 / 5 (5) |
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California's hottest new math teacher is an animated penguin named JiJi. Yes, it's true. A mute, waddling, tuxedo-clad cartoon figure has been quietly taking over math programs dotting Silicon Valley, dramatically improving ...
Professional Development Key to Improving Math Achievement
Dec 04, 2008 |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- Teachers have a greater impact than new textbooks or computers when it comes to raising math scores, according to a comprehensive research review by the Johns Hopkins University School of Education's Center ...
It pays to compare: Comparison helps children grasp math concepts
Medicine & Health / Psychology & Psychiatry
Apr 10, 2009 |
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Comparing different ways of solving math problems is a great way to help middle schoolers learn new math concepts, researchers from Vanderbilt and Harvard universities have found.
