How do we know math isn’t wrong? Like it works but could it only work due to our perception?
In: Mathematics
Math isn’t right or wrong, it just is. It’s a logical deduction from some basic assumptions, called axioms. For example, the theory of natural numbers develops from Peano’s axioms. Some parts of math have nothing to do with the real world and work with completely abstract things. We know that the parts that have something to do with the real world work, because they fit our observations.
Math also explains things that we cannot perceive which in turn has effects that we do perceive. i.e. quantum mechanics. That being said, our math isn’t perfect, we can’t fully understand everything via manipulating symbols, but we can understand most things up to a certain point.
Proofs. They start teaching you proofs in Geometry, well before they let you get anywhere near Calculus. Everything else is a “theorem”, a “conjecture”, or an educated guess.
Find a “good” teacher and ask why it’s good to learn proofs before you get to calc.
Simplified answer:
When you have a theory in maths or physics, you can usually prove that it is right by assuming that it it is wrong, thus that the opposite is true, then you start working on some equation using that assumption, until you inevitably stumble upon a oaradox. The paradox proves that the opposite of the initial theory is false, thus the theory is true.
Google something like proving that the root of 2 is irrational to see it done.
But if you mean the whole system…
Well… It just works. It replicates the real world. Imagine if you said that addition should be done before multiplication. You would end up with wring results compared to stuff in the real world.
I guess that is just a very simple answer, but someone might privide something more complex.
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