Math can exist as a concept without the universe, but its applications and usefulness depend on the physical world.
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Mathematics is a fundamental and universal language used to describe and understand the world around us. However, the question arises, can math exist without the universe? The answer is yes, math can exist as a concept without the universe. The concepts, theories and principles of mathematics, such as calculus, probability, and geometry, exist independently of the physical world.
As renowned mathematician and philosopher Bertrand Russell once said, “Pure mathematics consists entirely of assertions to the effect that, if such and such a proposition is true of anything, then such and such another proposition is true of that thing.” This quote reflects how the concepts in math exist on their own merit, without the need for a physical world.
However, the applications and usefulness of math are dependent on the physical world. Mathematics is used to solve real-world problems such as building architecture, sending rockets into space, creating computer programs, and much more. Without the physical world, these applications would be irrelevant, and the usefulness of mathematics would be limited.
Interesting facts about math include:
- Mathematics is a language used by all cultures and civilizations throughout history
- The concept of zero was invented in India around the 5th century AD
- The Fibonacci sequence can be found in nature, such as in the spiral patterns on seashells and the branching of trees
- The famous Pythagorean theorem, a² + b² = c², is named after the Greek mathematician Pythagoras
- The concept of infinity, while essential to mathematics, has been a source of philosophical and theological debate throughout history
- The mathematical constant pi (π) has been calculated to over 31 trillion digits, but only the first few digits are essential for most applications
In conclusion, math can exist without the universe as a concept, but its applications and usefulness are dependent on the physical world. Mathematics is a universal language used to describe and understand the world around us.
Response video to “Can math exist without the universe?”
This video discusses the debate between those who believe that mathematics is discovered, and those who believe that it is invented. The video provides examples of how mathematics has been used to solve problems in the real world.
Here are some other responses to your query
Many scientists say that maths transcends creation, the future, it exists for all time. For example the Mandelbrot is just an equation that can still exist when the universe goes cold.
Mathematics is a study, and if there is no-one to do the study, then mathematics does not exist. However, the rules of mathematics are abstract and unconnected with reality, and transcend physics. The axioms of mathematics are based on theory, not on physical reality, so for a given set of axioms, mathematics will be the same, regardless of universe.
But you said there is no universe. This means there are no agents. If there is no-one around to perform any activity, there can be not be anything like mathematics. So if we go by these definition, then the answer is no, there would not be mathematics because mathematics is a study. If you have no-one to do the study, the study does not exist.
The rules of Mathematics are abstract and unconnected with reality, Mathematics transcend physics. This is because the Axioms of mathematics are based on theory, not on physical reality, for a given set of axioms, mathematics will be the same, regardless of universe.
It can and it can’t. Different universe also remains different for the laws, structure, data, combinations which means that ‘our’ developed mathematics here may not apply from outside our universe. Also we have not yet developed everything because many things seem illogical and rather mysterious about our universe.
If we knew what’s going on in other universe, why would we still sit in our comfy chairs in our perfectly industrial/materialistic destroyed little Earth?
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Shapes that can be seen repeatedly in themselves (never-ending patterns) are called Fractals. They exist in nature ranging from macroscopic to microscopic observations as rivers, coastlines, mountains, clouds, plants, snowflakes, lightning strikes, seashells and even blood vessels.