Why do we need to Study Mathematics?

This is the most popular question among students, and why not? Many students struggle with mathematics and consider it one of the most difficult subjects. Though this is not the case with every student, as many love solving math problems, students are always curious about mathematics. If you are wondering about this question and looking for an answer, this blog is for you. However, keep in mind that the answer will not be as simple as you think it to be. So, let us deep dive into this most inevitable question without further delay.

Math is hidden everywhere

Mathematics is everywhere; It’s in the movie or song you admire; It’s in the vehicle you used to commute. The nature that surrounds you including species of animals and plants and you as well. Yes, and it’s in your most loved device, “mobile”. But have you ever thought about it? No, right?

Closing eyes does not mean there is no light, and the same is true with mathematics. The whole world is governed by mathematical principles which you are learning and will continue to learn at the best schools in Baddi, from mensuration and algebra to ratio and proportion and number systems and everything in between.

Convinced?

We know that it’s difficult to see the maths behind everything and fully grasp that we can’t live without it. That’s why we have summed up the key ways through which maths is influencing our world. We believe this will give you a clear understanding of why it is essential.

Maths in Nature

Nature is composed of many things, from living organisms such as plants, animals and microorganisms to non-living components such as water bodies, landfills, atmosphere, minerals and many more things. The structure and phenomenon behind nature can be explained by simple and complex mathematical concepts. Let us understand how different mathematical concepts are applied in nature.

Symmetry

An object is said to be symmetrical if you can divide it into two identical parts, or the mirroring of one part of the object with the other is termed symmetry. It is believed that ancient Greece was the place where this mathematical concept was first developed.  

To understand how symmetry works in nature, just take a look at a butterfly or any other animal or bird and see how both of their sides are a copy of one other; if keep them in a plane, we can divide them into two equal parts. Symmetry has a clear function- it would be very difficult for a bird or butterfly to fly if their wings are not of equal size.

Fibonacci Sequence

Don’t worry if you haven’t heard about the Fibonacci sequence. Here is its brief  explanation.

The Fibonacci sequence was invented by Leonardo Pisano while undergoing an experiment on the rabbit population. He found a sequence that helped us understand nature and its processes. A simple rule that is followed in the Fibonacci series is:

Fn = Fn-1+ Fn-2
Where n is the nth number of the series.

By putting the values of n as 0, 1, 2, and 3 up to infinity, you can find almost all numbers that exist in nature. For example, the sunflower seeds follow the pattern that Fibonacci sequenced for different values of n. And not only sunflowers, but many other flowers, the pattern of this remarkable series.

Note that these are just a few concepts of mathematics that are present in nature. There are many more advanced mathematics principles and patterns that play their role in nature. 

Also Read, 3D Shapes: Faces, Edges and Vertices

Maths in Society

We can’t function without the society in which we live, and society can’t operate without maths. Do you want to know how? Let us shed some light on the role of maths in our society. And, don’t forget to discuss these insights with your peers and teachers at your school to explore more about how maths is entwined in our society.

Infrastructure and Healthcare

Can you live without a good infrastructure? Do you think you can go to your school, college or university without a road? Can you imagine your life without electricity? Well, everything from buildings, roads and bridges to power grids and water systems and almost every essential service out there has maths in its foundation. Math is used at every step of designing a building, a road, a bridge, or any system.

Engineers and architects apply mathematical principles such as geometry to determine the angle and shape of a building, trigonometry to find out the distance and height of a building or a bridge, calculus to assess the load distribution, algebra, statistics and many more concepts. Similarly, in healthcare, techniques such as MRI, CT Scan, and X-rays use math algorithms to generate results.

Policy making and business

The government and policymakers rely on maths to formulate various policies for economic development. They use statistics to assess the result of an old policy, which helps them take corrective measures and create a new policy that is more effective and beneficial for the masses.

Data also helps the government make critical decisions related to allocating resources and budgeting. Also, many times, authorities are not certain about a policy for which they use probability and statistics, which assist in evaluating associated risks and making informed decisions. Similarly, businesses use statistics for market analysis, sales forecasting and many other things, which help them make crucial business decisions.

Maths in Science and Technology

Mathematics is the building block of science and technology. They influence everything from physics and chemistry to engineering and computer science. For example, fundamental physics concepts such as Newton's law of motion use differential equations, kinematics use algebra and calculations and more.

Similarly, in chemistry, math is used to balance chemical equations, determine the number of reactants and products in mole calculations and more. Also, computer science is deeply intertwined with mathematics; It is used to design and analyse algorithms, create data structures (which require an understanding of mathematical concepts such as graphs, trees and other functions) and more.

Maths in Navigation

What do you think sailors in ancient times depended upon for navigating at sea? The answer is mathematics and celestial bodies such as the North Star, Moon, Sun and various other stars. Maths and heavenly bodies helped them measure the latitude, which determines how far the ship is from the south or north location from the Equator, and longitude, which measures the distance of the ship from the east or west location. They also used trigonometry to measure angles and calculate their ship distance.

However, with the development of instruments such as astrolabes and sextants, it became more easy for sailors to accurately calculate latitude and longitude. Today, the Global positioning system (GPS) has replaced every other navigation instrument and system by providing real-time and highly accurate location using a network of satellites. And this system is not only helping sailors but also people like us and you in navigating new cities, countries and places. 

Final words

Maths is an incredible subject that helps us understand everything about our surroundings and us. If you don’t like this subject, we hope after reading all the above points, you will look at it from a different perspective. We know you use maths unconsciously every day for many things like for calculating money for buying snacks and more. Therefore, appreciate it and try to learn it with new approaches.