If you’re studying for the algebra test tomorrow or thinking about how little you use maths now after you failed it a million times in high school, here’s something to melt your brain with just a tad: maths might not actually exist. It’s not an actual thing of the universe, it’s just something humans invented. Or is it the other way around?
PBS Idea Channel tackles the subject of whether maths really exists or not. It’s a legitimate question because maths, unlike physics or chemistry or biology, can’t be seen or smelled or observed. Idea Channel writes:
Do we live in a mathless universe? Or if maths is a real entity that exists, are there formulas and mathematical concepts out there in the universe that are undiscovered? Or is it all fiction?
It’s definitely an interesting way to look at the thing that frustrates most humans to no end. Though I guess frustratingly trying to explain something so frustrating shouldn’t be this much fun. maths is important! Study for that test now. Even if it might not exist. [PBS Idea Channel via Geekosystem]