08 October 2017

Mathematics as Model

“Mathematics is not only the model along the lines of which the exact sciences are striving to design their structure; mathematics is the cement which holds the structure together.” (Tobias Dantzig, “Number: The Language of Science” 4th Ed, 1954)

“Mathematics is a model of exact reasoning, an absorbing challenge to the mind, an esthetic experience for creators and some students, a nightmarish experience to other students, and an outlet for the egotistic display of mental power.” (Morris Kline, “Mathematics and the Physical World”, 1959)

“Mathematics is much more than a language for dealing with the physical world. It is a source of models and abstractions which will enable us to obtain amazing new insights into the way in which nature operates. Indeed, the beauty and elegance of the physical laws themselves are only apparent when expressed in the appropriate mathematical framework.” (Melvin Schwartz)

“Mathematics is a model of exact reasoning, the most precise branch of human knowledge.” (Paul Hartal, Mathematics and Reality, 2010) [Link]

“Mathematics is a model for thinking, for developing scientific structure, for drawing conclusions and for solving problems.” (Kehinde E Adenegan) [Link]

“[…] although mathematical concepts and operations are formulated to represent aspects of the physical world, mathematics is not to be identified with the physical world. However, it tells us a good deal about that world if we are careful to apply it and interpret it properly.” (Morris Kline, “Mathematics for the Nonmathematician”, 1967)

“[…] mathematics is not portraying laws inherent in the design of the universe but is merely providing man-made schemes or models which we can use to deduce conclusions about our world only to the extent that the model is a good  idealization.” (Morris Kline, “Mathematics for the Nonmathematician”, 1967)

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