The unplanned impact of mathematics (2011)
The article highlights how theoretical mathematics can lead to unexpected practical applications, citing examples like quaternions in computer graphics and sphere packing in communication technology, emphasizing the value of abstract exploration.
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The article discusses the unexpected practical applications of theoretical mathematics, emphasizing that many mathematical discoveries, made without immediate practical intent, can later prove invaluable. Peter Rowlett highlights several historical examples where abstract mathematical concepts eventually found significant real-world applications, often long after their initial development. For instance, quaternions, initially deemed impractical, are now essential in computer graphics and robotics. Similarly, the mathematical principles behind sphere packing, which originated from a problem posed by Johannes Kepler, are crucial in modern communication technologies, particularly in error-correction codes for data transmission. The article argues against the pressure on researchers to predict the impact of their work, noting that the true value of pure mathematics often becomes apparent only decades later. It underscores the importance of allowing mathematicians to explore abstract concepts without the constraint of immediate applicability, as this freedom can lead to groundbreaking discoveries that address future challenges.
- Theoretical mathematics often leads to unexpected practical applications over time.
- Historical examples include quaternions in computer graphics and sphere packing in communication technology.
- Predicting the impact of mathematical research is challenging and often inaccurate.
- Allowing mathematicians to explore abstract concepts can yield significant future benefits.
- The beauty of mathematics lies in its exploration beyond immediate relevance.
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13 commentsYou can't predict what avenues of investigation are going to bear fruit, so a good strategy it to encourage people to investigate things that interest them. Most of the time it won't lead anywhere, but once in a while someone will stumble upon penicillin or a microwave oven.
Sic semper mathēmaticīs.
Tdlr if we want to get people excited about math, we should not strive to erase all the complexity and ambiguity, making it fully digestible, because otherwise all that's left are a bunch of lunatics arguing over stacking oranges (prove me wrong).
The Unplanned Impact of Mathematics - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=23735236 - July 2020 (57 comments)
Sometimes I wish I had a little more of that self-important energy.
This has been fun — but harder than anticipated! While some topics are clearly and deeply useful, many topics are very difficult to connect to practicalities. And, conversely, some of my favorite math — math that underpins key technologies we use everyday —just isn’t part of the high school curriculum.
It makes me wonder why we teach the high school math that we do— and whether there is a more elegant or effective curriculum we should consider. (For instance, I’m fond of the classical quadrivium)
This is a fascinating relationship, is there a definitive answer / theory on this ? Why are Mathematics so effective to describe the world ? Are Mathematics a feature of the Universe or merely a Human tool ?
I haven't been reading on the subject for quite some time, what are good books on this relationship between Mathematics and Nature?
and the xkcd.com notation 135: https://xkcd.com/435/
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