The most interesting facts about mathematics

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Mathematics is one of the oldest sciences in the world. It is interesting that the need for it arose long before the origin of writing. If initially mathematics was intended to help in the search for truth, then later it developed into a complex multifaceted science without which none of us can imagine our life.

Mathematics exists not only in educational institutions. We meet her everywhere: when we prepare dinner and determine the amount of ingredients; when we plan time for the trip; when we pay in the store; or even when we just go on vacation.

24 interesting facts about mathematics

Like any science, mathematics can be very exciting. And if you think that this is not the case, you should get to know her better. And this article with interesting facts about numbers and mathematics will help you in this.

Everyone knows that the word “mathematics” has Greek roots, however, the oldest records of mathematics come from Africa. It was there that bones with notches were found, which testify to the results of calculations. Their age is determined at more than 37 thousand years.

Since ancient times, not only men have been engaged in mathematics. Hypatia, a resident of Ancient Byzantium, became the first woman in this science in 500 BC.

Basic signs in mathematics (in particular, such as “+”, “-” or “=”) did not appear immediately. For example, the number “0” did not exist in the Roman Empire. And the Egyptians did not have any mathematical rules, fractions or multiplication tables.

This leads to the following fact about mathematics. Since there was no zero in the Roman Empire, it is impossible to write this number in Roman numerals.

Only about 500 years ago, so to speak, “know-how” in mathematics took place. It was then that Jan Widman used the well-known addition and subtraction signs for the first time.

You cannot divide by zero in mathematics for one simple reason – it makes no sense. For example, the abbreviated record 7:0 can denote the example “0*Х=7. When multiplying any number by zero, the result will always be 0. Therefore, it is not just impossible to find a solution here, but in general such an entry loses any meaning.

It is interesting that due to an error and, surprisingly, division by zero, there was a shutdown of all devices in the control computer system on a missile cruiser of the US Navy. This event happened on September 21, 1997.

Many scientists believe that mathematics can be used not only to solve examples and mathematical problems. It can also help find answers to questions about the universe, the origin of life and its meaning.

Mathematics was also practiced by people known to the whole world for other achievements. Writer Lewis Carroll and Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte were also mathematicians.

It is interesting that many peoples of the world, independently of each other, almost immediately began to use the decimal number system. This is due to the fact that a person has only 10 fingers on his hands, and it is precisely with their help that all calculations were made.

However, there were other counting systems. For example, the Maya and the Chukchi (also independently of each other) used the decimal system of mathematics – they used not only the fingers, but also the feet.

But that’s not all. The ancient Sumerians and Babylonians used the decimal and hexadecimal number systems in mathematics. For this, they counted the rest of the phalanges of the palm with their thumb, the total number of which is 12.

As of 1900, all written mathematical calculations could fit into 80 books. Today, mathematics is developing rapidly. And to record all the calculations, humanity would need 100 times more books.

Without mathematics, it is impossible to imagine the development of science as a whole. It is connected with dozens, or even hundreds, of other sciences. For example, it is thanks to mathematics that such a science as logic exists.

It is interesting that in many Western cultures, the number 13 is considered unlucky. Therefore, in some buildings, the 14th floor immediately follows the 12th floor.

Mathematics was associated with something mystical in Asian culture as well. In particular, Asians believe that the number 4 is unlucky, because it is associated with death.

In Italy, too, mathematicians tend to give numbers a hidden meaning. Yes, Italians try to avoid the number 17 (Roman notation XVII), because it is very similar to notation VIXI (it was written on tombstones). And since most people in Ancient Rome were illiterate, they often confused these records.

If Europeans and Asians avoid certain numbers, attributing hidden meanings to them, religious Jews try not to use “+”. And all because this sign in mathematics is associated with Christianity.

But not all numbers in mathematics carry negative context. As a result of sociological surveys around the world, it was determined that the most popular lucky number is 7. The number 3 is in second place.

No mathematician in the world has ever received the Nobel Prize in Mathematics. The answer here is simple – there is no such premium. One of the theories why Nobel did not include it in his list is that mathematics is only a theoretical science.

The number Pi in mathematics was first used in India. This was done by the Indian scientist Budhayana back in the 6th century. The discovery of Pi in other countries took place independently of the Indian one.

The word “algebra” appeared much later than “mathematics” and “geometry”. And it is written the same in all languages of the world.

Euclid is considered one of the most mysterious mathematicians. To date, a lot of data about his work has been preserved, while there is almost no information about the mathematician himself.