In PART I of this question 8 out of 9 answered that Mathmatics pre-existed man. Now I want to know what force created mathmatics. You might say why it explains physical laws so well also, Thanks...
2006-11-13 05:52:47 · 6 answers · asked by HeyDude 3 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Mathematics
I do not believe mathematics existed before man. Mathematics was created by man to assist him in discovering the universe and the world we live in.
It is true that pi, the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter, may have existed before man, as could many other constants that man has discovered such as e. But man invented mathematics. It was not out there all the time for us to find.
Mathematics is used constantly in Newtonian Physics and Modern Physics. Many of the formulas were developed empirically by observing events over and over and then theorizing a formula to predict and or explain the phenomena being observed. This is why mathematics explains physical laws so well. But man is constantly creating new and refining old laws as he continues to try and explain the world we live in.
Mathematics pre-existed mankind? Balderdash.
2006-11-13 06:15:53 · answer #1 · answered by ironduke8159 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Actually, this is a question for philosophy and religion, more than it is a math question... man has very little to do with math, man simply determined the language in which it could be expressed.... Things fall at certain rates, given gravity -- more gravity, faster things fall. It is a universal law, and this pre-existed man, and will exist after he no longer is on this planet or any other. The only constant in the universe is non-constantness. There do, however, appear to be some universal rules that make light bend, chemicals combine, atoms evolve, and the like. This then can get one into a discussion of then what is god?.
No "force" created math, nor the rules. Man just sort of stumbled into discovering them and explaining them in ways other intelligent persons can understand. But this does not limit intelligence to man -- i.e., the critter than evolved on planet earth. Anyscientists understand this as well. Years ago a disc was shot into space. On it were images of people, and songs from various cultures, and languages from different areas on this planet, and indeed, where this planet could even be found in the universe. This could be deciphered by any intelligent being who knew astronomy, and the disc could be played by any intelligent being. NASA sent it up, but I have forgotten the name of the project. Maybe someone will be able to tell you.
Laws of physics,astronomy, math, appear to be universal.
Helpful?
2006-11-13 06:58:02 · answer #2 · answered by April 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Math is a language. A way to quantify and lineate reality. It's like the word blue. The word doesn't describe the color, it just labels what's there.
Now why is it there? Well, that question belongs in the philosophy/religion section :)
2006-11-13 06:10:54 · answer #3 · answered by Eldritch 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on what constants we're talking about. Pi is a fundamental constant in our geometry... but how we've defined a circle (all points equidistant from one point) gives way to this. The constants used only work by how we've defined our world.
2006-11-13 06:00:23 · answer #4 · answered by UMRmathmajor 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Math constants didn't exist always... for example, the Pi is equal to the circle's perimeter / diameter
and this is the definition...
2006-11-13 06:11:17 · answer #5 · answered by dzsamper 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have not seen part 1 but i believe that though math and science existed before but it was formulated and known to people later.
2006-11-13 06:03:21 · answer #6 · answered by flori 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋