The role of mathematics in human life. Why do we need math?

If you look closely around, the role of mathematics in a person's life becomes obvious. Computers, modern phones and other equipment accompany us every day, and their creation is impossible without the use of laws and calculations of great science. However, the role of mathematics in the life of people and society is not exhausted by its similar application. Otherwise, for example, many artists could have said with a clear conscience that the time devoted to solving problems and proving theorems in school was wasted. Nevertheless, this is not so. Let's try to figure out what math is for.

Base

To begin with, it is worthwhile to understand what mathematics is all about. In translation from ancient Greek itself its name means "science", "study". At the heart of mathematics are operations of counting, measuring and describing the forms of objects. This is the basis on which knowledge of structure, order and relations is based. They are the essence of science. The properties of real objects in it are idealized and written in a formal language. This is how they transform into mathematical objects. Some of the idealized properties become axioms (assertions that do not require proof). Of these, then other true properties are derived. So a mathematical model of a real-life object is formed.

Two sections

Mathematics can be divided into two complementary parts. Theoretical science deals with a deep analysis of intra-mathematical structures. The applied one provides its models to other disciplines. Physics, chemistry and astronomy, engineering systems, forecasting and logic use the mathematical apparatus constantly. With its help, discoveries are made, regularities are discovered, events are foreseen. In this sense, the importance of mathematics in human life can not be overestimated.

The basis of professional activity

Without knowledge of the basic mathematical laws and the ability to use them in the modern world, it becomes very difficult to learn practically any profession. With figures and operations with them, not only financiers and accountants are dealing. The astronomer will not be able to determine without such knowledge the distance to the star and the best time to observe it, and the molecular biologist will understand how to deal with the gene mutation. The engineer does not construct a working alarm or video surveillance system, and the programmer will not find an approach to the operating system. Many of these and other professions without mathematics simply do not exist.

Humanitarian knowledge

However, the role of mathematics in human life, for example, who has devoted himself to painting or literature, is not so obvious. Yet the traces of the queen of sciences are also present in humanitarian knowledge.

It would seem that poetry is a continuous romance and inspiration, there is no room for analysis and calculation. However, it is enough to recall the poetic dimensions (iambic, trochee, amphibrachia), as understanding comes that mathematics has also put its hand there. Rhythm, verbal or musical, is also described and calculated using the knowledge of this science.

For a writer or a psychologist, such concepts as reliability of information, an isolated case, generalization and so on are often important. All of them either are directly mathematical, or are built on the basis of the laws developed by the queen of sciences, exist thanks to it and by its rules.

Psychology was born at the intersection of the humanities and natural sciences. All its directions, even those that work exclusively with images, rely on observation, data analysis, their generalization and verification. It uses both modeling, forecasting, and statistical methods.

From school

Mathematics in our life is present not only in the process of mastering the profession and realizing the acquired knowledge. Anyway, we use the queen of sciences almost at every moment of time. That is why mathematics is taught early enough. Solving simple and complex tasks, the child does not just learn how to add, subtract and multiply. He slowly, from the basics, comprehends the structure of the modern world. And it's not about technical progress or the ability to check the change in the store. Mathematics forms certain features of thinking and influences attitudes toward the world.

The most simple, the most difficult, the most important thing

Probably everyone will remember at least one evening for homework, when I wanted to howl desperately: "I do not understand what math is for!", Throw away the hated complex and tedious tasks and run to the yard to friends. At school and even later, at the institute, the assurances of parents and teachers "come in handy" seem like a nuisance delusion. However, they turn out to be right.

It is mathematics, and then physics, which teaches us to find cause and effect relationships, lays the habit of looking for the notorious "how the legs grow". Attention, concentration, willpower - they also train in the process of solving those most hated tasks. If we go further, then the ability to derive consequences from facts, to predict future events, as well as the habit of doing this , are also laid during the study of mathematical theories. Modeling, abstraction, deduction and induction are all methods of the queen of sciences and at the same time the ways of working the brain with information.

And again psychology

Often it is mathematics that gives the child a revelation that adults are not all-powerful and know not all. It happens when a mom or dad is asked to help solve a problem only with a helpless gesture and declare their inability to do so. And the child is forced to look for the answer himself, to make mistakes and again to look. It happens that parents simply refuse to help. "You must do it yourself," they say. And they do it right. After many hours of trying, the child will receive not just a homework done, but the ability to independently find solutions, discover and correct mistakes. And this also hides the role of mathematics in human life.

Of course, independence, the ability to make decisions, to answer for them, the lack of fear of mistakes are developed not only in algebra and geometry classes. But these disciplines play a significant role in the process. Mathematics brings up such qualities as purposefulness and activity. However, much depends on the teacher. Incorrect delivery of material, excessive severity and pressure can, on the contrary, instill fear of difficulties and mistakes (first in lessons, and then in life), unwillingness to express one's opinion, passivity.

Mathematics in everyday life

Adult people after graduation from a university or college do not stop solving mathematical problems every day. How to catch a train? Will I get a ten-kilogram dinner of meat for ten guests? How many calories are there in the dish? For how long will one bulb last? These and many other issues are directly related to the queen of sciences and without it are not solved. It turns out that mathematics in our life invisibly present almost constantly. And most often we do not even notice it.

Mathematics in the life of society and an individual affects a huge number of areas. Some professions without it are unthinkable, many appeared only thanks to the development of its separate directions. Modern technological progress is closely connected with the complication and development of the mathematical apparatus. Computers and telephones, airplanes and spacecraft would never have appeared, if the queen of sciences had not been known to people. However, the role of mathematics in human life is not exhausted by this. Science helps the child to master the world, teaches more effective interaction with it, forms thinking and individual qualities of character. However, mathematics alone could not cope with such tasks. As it was said above, a huge role is played by the presentation of the material and the personality of the person who introduces the child to the world.