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Re: Math vs. Science
Posted:
Jul 22, 1996 10:28 AM
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>Mathematics is NOT a Science.
>Science like business uses mathematics.
>Mathematics is more of a philosophy then a science.
>Why do we let the public group math. amoung the sciences when all of these
>engineering,business,sciences,programing,and etc are all subsets of
>mathematics?
>If you only look upon math. as a skill and not a way of thinking...then maybe
>it is a science.
>I do not think so.
Ray,
I am inclined to consider math a language. In the language of math we
describe relationships, patterns, etc. that "we" or someone noticed. For
example the statement which describes the area of a circle is a statement
which describes the circle area in relationship to other aspects of the
circle. This description provides us with a method for determining the
area. But it is truly only a description of the relationships. In
otherwords knowing the relationships allows us to identify other names for
that relationship.
Algebra is a set of generalized statements that are accurate within some limits.
(3+2) or (20/4) and there are multipe other names such as (20/5) + 1, etc.
are "nouns" that name a relationship. Which "noun" we use often depends on
how literate we are in the language of mathematics.
I see science as a method for discovering or uncovering relationships and
patterns. This creates an interdependence between the language and the
method of discovery because the language of mathematics allows for more
precise/specific discussions of those discoveries. In other words perhaps
mathematics "could" be considered the language of the sciences, but I agree
that it is not a science itself.
Eileen
*****"Every student is gifted, some are just presents************************
that have not yet been opened."
Eileen Abrahamson
e-mail: 0191enel@informns.k12.mn.us
Enhancing Students Learning Through Technology
Collaborative Project
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