Nature’s Patterns
Ian Steward in his article believes Mathematics is a “complex context-dependent mix of both” invention and discovery. His example of the ripples on the sand dunes being similar to the wave patterns in liquid crystals illustrates that Mathematics already exists as a design of the universe. However he also believes “mathematics is in the eye of the beholder” meaning that it is also discovered. “We human beings do not experience the Universe raw, but through our senses, and we interpret the results using our minds.” Next steward tells us that invention and discovery can happen at the same time within a particular context by using Edison as an example, “Edison would have felt as if he had invented the idea of electric lighting, but then spent many years trying to discover how to make it a reality.” The title “Nature’s Patterns” suggests that the surrounding environment displays evidence of both invention and discovery.
I agree with steward as his argument claims valid and he has reinforced my beliefs towards this particular subject.
Baking Bread
In this sub-section Stewards explains that Mathematics is derived from the “real world”. From observation of two sheep and two more sheep make four sheep, 2+2=4, we have produced Mathematics that can be applied to “reality”. In addition Steward also claims that “Mathematics has an internal structure of logical deduction that allows it to grow in unexpected ways” which is reinforced by the title as it suggests that an idea in Mathematics can be used to create other ideas.
I have learned much.
1 comment:
Will, i agree with your thoughts, Ian Stewart does give us his thoughts and the support to this thoughts to make us try to agree with him, and in some ways i agree with the fact that some maths is still yet to be discovered.
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