how do i know that the "numbers" "add up" to what you say they do? unless pythogoras, plato, fibbonacci, mandelbrot, or pretty much any sumerian and/or mayan person comes to me in a hullocinogenic dreamscape and tells me directly that this stuff is true, i just don't think that i can buy it.
i defy any of you to challenge my logic.
2006-08-19 08:04:23 · 24 answers · asked by list 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
by the way, i do realize that i spelled "hallucinogenic" terribly wrong, and i sincerely apologize
2006-08-19 08:11:37 · update #1
Parts of math are real and parts are not.
There is a field of mathematics called real analysis that deals with real numbers. Real numbers are numbers that are not imaginary.
There are also imaginary numbers, numbers that contain the square root of minus one as a component.
But perhaps are you asking whether mathematics is reality. The answer is "No", because mathematics is a model of reality and we must never confuse reality with the models we build of it. Mathematics is a tool for building models of reality. To confuse mathematics with reality is to commit the error of reification.
2006-08-19 08:13:36 · answer #1 · answered by Alan Turing 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Math is not real. Math is an idealization of reality, which makes it flawed, as some concepts, such as infinity, exist in math but not in reality in the same sense as in math.
Math is of course not untrue; if you put one stone next to another you have two stones. But still math is just an idealized and abstract model of reality. Math can describe nature, but math is never nature.
If you have a crisis over homework, my advice is to keep studying, even if it feels boring and hard, you're going to have much use of it.
If you're seriously interested in the topic, you should read up on mathematical philosophy. A good start is the book "The Mathematical Experience" by Philip J Davis and Reuben Hersh. (ISBN: 0-395-92968-7)
It gives a comprehensive introduction to mathematical philosophy.
Btw, Pythagora and Plato were greek, Fibonacci italian and Mandelbrot was born in Poland but lived most of his life in France.
2006-08-19 15:29:32 · answer #2 · answered by nitro2k01 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There was a time when I might have bitten at that hook, but I learned long ago that it's just not worth my time and effort because you don't have enough background to even understand what a 'proof' is.
You don't even have enough background to realize that one of those names you so casually dropped is several hundred years out of time with all of the others.
You go off and sell your 'logic' to whoever wants to listen (and is dumb enough to believe it). Be sure to get in tight with the Tabloids. They pay pretty good money for those kinds of shithead stories. It certainly beats flipping burgers at Micky D's.
Fact is, I really don't much give a big ol' nasty ratsass **what** you think or believeâº
Doug
2006-08-19 15:31:19 · answer #3 · answered by doug_donaghue 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask any judge in the US about what he considers the greatest of all crimes and he will most likely tell you that next to treason, murder, and the likes, there will be robbery, larceny, breaking and entering and bad check writing - all because someone is trying to increase the number of dollar bills in their pocket. Numbers do add up and if you don't keep track of them, your local bank will shut down your checkbook, credit card, and cable tv - that's the little gadget with all the "numbered" channels.
On the flip side of the coin, allow me to add that Einstein said that 2 + 2 does not equal 4.
2006-08-19 15:18:23 · answer #4 · answered by Benny 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What logic where? If you don't like maths, leave it, and why post such a gormless question and call it logic. I find it to be an exact science and I particularly enjoy maths puzzles. P.S. You wouldn't recognize logic even it bit you on the butt!
2006-08-19 15:22:28 · answer #5 · answered by Scabius Fretful 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Math is not neccessarily true, but it is a way to define and make sense of our world the best that we can. This is how we can make logic happen. Math is as close as we can get to truth.
2006-08-19 17:41:38 · answer #6 · answered by Hicktown girl66 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
OK, try telling this to your bank when your checks start bouncing. I bet they'll tell you that the numbers are real. Bounce enough checks and the police will come by to tell you that math is real. Good luck on your quest to enlightenment.
2006-08-19 15:10:17 · answer #7 · answered by Dave 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd try to defy your 'logic' but I don't see very much in the question.
2006-08-19 18:15:11 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
math is real. You pretty much everyday. and I don't fell like challenging someone who thinks math isnt real. But what's no to get about math?
2006-08-19 15:10:33 · answer #9 · answered by Tammy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Math is the ultimate truth. It is the language of the universe.
2006-08-19 15:09:54 · answer #10 · answered by Gatorgal 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋