Robert Win - AoK Mathematics1

Natures Patterns

Here, Stewart explains that in nature, we see similar or the same mathematical shapes and patterns on different things, such as the circular shape of waves on sand dunes similar to the shape of rainbows. Using this, he tries to demonstrate that mathematics is an aspect or even the basis of nature and the universe. Stewart also tries to promote his view, that us, people, both invented and discovered mathematics (as, in his view, mathematics already existed in nature, but we took advantage and developed it further), using the example of how Columbus discovered America while trying to invent a new shipping route to India. This suggests Stewart believes we stumbled upon mathematics while trying to figure a way to interpret and sort things simply.

This particular example does not convince me, however I do believe that mathematics was both discovered and invented as mathematics, in my view, is just a psychological tool we use and a way to technically interpret things, which is what i also learnt from reading the article.

Lottery Illusion
Here, Stewart mentions that mathematics is embedded in biology, conveyed using the example of the number of petals on a flower usually being one of the Fibonacci numbers, which is a number pattern group, therefore implying that mathematics is also embedded in nature. This example is quite convincing to me, and has allowed me to consider the link between nature and mathematics more, however, i cannot say whether i agree or disagree with this statement, as I am not currently sure.

Stewart also discusses whether the mathematical patterns seen in nature are actually by chance, and that they do not represent any significance between maths and nature. Stewarts evidence supporting that humans discovered patterns which are of mathematical significance, and that maths exists within nature, is by implying that early humans noticed patterns, whether or not it was by chance or not, they knew that patterns discovered could be used in future and relied on these patterns. This reliance on patterns and has developed into what we know now as mathematics, as we use patterns and figures to prove or disprove a point.

Stewart also tries to share his view that mathematics is universal by suggesting that aliens would also be able to do mathematics, although not identical to our maths, they would probably also notice similar patterns which they could use to benefit themselves in understanding things


Overall, I have learnt form the article that mathematics is (in my view) a technical way of interpreting things, and a way of knowing and understanding things (as i mentioned above) and is also one tool we use to explain and to simplify things to allow us to understand complex theories.