Mathematics

[Anonymous No.13257514]

What are the best non-mathematical texts on mathematics? Can be literature, history, philosophy, even poetry.

Right now reading Morris Kline's History of Mathematics and it's amazing.

[Anonymous No.13257526]

Daily reminder that Fermat's Last Theorem has NOT been properly solved.

[Anonymous No.13257554]

This kind of thread doesn't get asked enough and is not even un-academic. Let me explain :3

Many times mathematics is seen as something insular, non-applicable to the outside world or even non-derivable. In actuality, the best applications of mathematics have a meaning on the more technical side of interpretation of certain sciences like Economics or Particle physics. Clearly it helps to have some experience in functional calculus and set theory for those.

But by and large, the most interesting part is the other side of the coin: where the physical or even spiritual reality can help you determine mathematics. To take a look at this, view Proclus' Commentary on the First Book of Euclid, or Aristotle's Metaphysics (specifically Books Mu and Nu).

The idea that mathematics is simply a bunch of equations and has no particular philosophy or should only be pursued as a way to make money, and not as a means of enjoyment is one of the greatest plagues devastating the intellectual climate. I find that, generally speaking, your objective is to get as far away from that sort of mentality as possible.

Also, Euclid's Elements is a must-read anyway, but Proclus' Elements of Theology is loosely based off of those general principles found in mathematics in books like Euclid's Elements.

[Anonymous No.13257582]

>>13257554
>":3"

don't be gay

[Anonymous No.13257655]

>>13257526
Why not? Seems like a retarded opinion to hold, but im on lit, so its no suprise.

[Anonymous No.13257658]

>>13257514
Chaos by James Gleick is pretty well regarded

[Anonymous No.13257668]

>>13257526
That’s the first I’ve ever heard anybody say that so you’re pretty bad at the daily reminders

[« Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ » !mxvabIoSIE No.13257676]

>>13257514
Pedo picture.

>>13257658
In line!

[Anonymous No.13257683]

>>13257655
the solution was too simple compared to the problem. And as any mathematician knows, there are no simple solutions to complex problems in math.

[Anonymous No.13257693]

>>13257683
Im thinking this is either a bad attempt at trolling or youre just a crank whos salty that his "proof" was too simple to solve FLT and was hence dismissed. Either way, Wiles and Ribets proof was not simple at all, and you can fuck off.

[Anonymous No.13257704]

>>13257683
Ah shit man, The World Ends With You was by far the best game ever made. Making you pay attention to two different things at once was so unbelievably awesome I can't even describe it. :3

Also daily reminder Fermat's Last Theorem was in marginalia in Diophantus' Arithmetica -- a very complex but rewarding read if fully understood.

[Anonymous No.13257772]

there was that book about fermat's theorem that was published in the 90s. i remember seeing some shit on CSPAN about it in the late 90s cause i'm old

[Anonymous No.13257804]

i am practically ignorant of mathematics but this kline guy seems based and i will read his books

[Anonymous No.13257869]

>>13257804
Is this a... textbook author? Eugh. :3

Mathematics is a lot like philosophy: gotta read the PRIMARY SOURCES.

On another note, the role of trade in mathematics interests me greatly. It seems like books like Fibonacci's Liber Abaci and Al-Khwarizmi's Book on Calculation are both largely motivated by finance and legislation relating to inheritance or trade even. It seems the idea of trade, and the mechanism of it propelled the mathematical tendencies of individuals forward by a considerable amount. I also believe that employment was necessary to propel the intellectual side of individuals. So trade, coupled with job opportunities available in trade, allowed for substantial progress in mathematics.

The aforementioned Al-Khwarizmi developed a method which was expanded upon by Fibonacci, which is primarily derived from Hindu mathematics as well. You could say Algebra has its origins in Hindu mathematics, but it wasn't JUST Hindu mathematics, as a cursory review of Abu Kamil's Algebra will tell you, since he proved that the Hindus, with isolated culture apart from the Greeks, developed similar mathematical systems that were complete different methods but getting the same results (for instance the famous Pythagorean theorem is proven an entirely different way under Hindu mathematics).


The most fascinating part comes down to when you read Fibonacci's Liber Abaci and he explains 4 or 5 different ways to solve two equation, three variable problems. If you use Algebra, you obviously get one solution every time sometimes. But if you use different methods, you get correct answers that aren't the ones derivable from Algebra, once again showing how didactic some textbooks can be: they are teaching you methods which can only derive ONE set of correct answers instead of teaching you all of the methods. :3

[Anonymous No.13257890]

>>13257514
gravity's rainbow

[Anonymous No.13257917]

>>13257554
You are absolutely incorrect and those views are detrimental to the rigorous field of mathematics.

[Anonymous No.13257932]

>>13257917
How so? (no one believes you unless you justify it with reasoning) :3

[Anonymous No.13257961]

>>13257514
I never got this meme, I've seen a lot of white milfs.

[Anonymous No.13258629]

>>13257932
Stop saying :3.

[Anonymous No.13258750]

>>13257917
He literally is right though, are you an algebraist or what?