I keep on thinking that everything around us is basically just information. Be it DNA, atoms, or spacetime itself. And math is the set of rules that explain the interaction, flow and existence of this information. We did not uncover all the rules yet. Does this make sense?
In: 8
Kinda. It’s more just that… it’s a set of rules. Different kinds of maths use different rules, called axioms, to create different internally consistent systems.
One axiom from geometry is that two straight lines parallel to each other at any point will never meet. This is used in what we call Euclidian geometry (among other axioms) and we use these to develop equations and ways of drawing conclusions. The area of a square, for example, depends heavily on each of the two pairs of sides being parallel and equidistant at all points. But we don’t have to use that axiom if it doesnt suit us. Einstein showed us that the real world doesn’t follow this axiom. Straight, parallel lines may meet in curved spacetime.
These are both valid and useful systems that we can use, even if they’re not consistent with each other and give different answers. Mathematics, number theory, arithmetic, etc, are all just sets of axioms that we can use to figure stuff out, and we can make literally ANY sort of system or axiom you can think of.
Latest Answers