Mathematics
From RationalWiki
Mathematics is the study of the relationships between numbers (and sometimes concepts). Branches of mathematics include algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus, graph theory, game theory, probability, and many more. Mathematics is a fundumental truth, and when done correctly is impossible — for rational people — to deny, which is to say that mathematics is also one of the few aspects of life where absolute proof is considered possible. For example, the only way to deny that 1 + 1 = 2 is to use a definition of "1", "2", "+", or "=" that is not commonly accepted.
Mathematics is a mainstay of science (but is not considered a science itself), and important in everyday life as a whole.
Despite being incredibly important, no Nobel prize is awarded in the field of mathematics (some claim that Nobel's wife ran off with a mathematician - though since Nobel was never married, this seems unlikely). The poor mathematicians have to be content with the much less prestigious (to non-mathematicians) Fields Medal.
A few fundamental statements in mathematics, known as axioms, are not proven and are instead assumed to be true. One thing about axioms in mathematics (and other logical endeavors) is that they are always stated up front. It is always interesting to see what structures can be built by discarding some of them, such as in non-Euclidean geometry.
A subtle flaw in a mathematical argument can often be drawn into an absurd conclusion; see mathematical fallacies for some examples.
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| Mathematics Articles on RationalWiki
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| - 40gon (Fun) - Complex numbers - Conservapedian mathematics - Delta function - Fermat's last theorem - Fibonacci sequence - Golden Ratio - Groups - Gödel's incompleteness theorems - Information - Irrational number - Metric system - ln - Pentagon - Phli (fun) - Probability (Conservapedia) - Pyramid - Quadratic equation - Recursion - Rene Descartes - Statistics - TeX - Zero - | ||
