MATHEMATICS AS A BRANCH OF SCIENCE

(materials adapted from Mathematics, encyclopedia articles on http//en.citizendium.org)

 

1.      First of all, try to answer these questions. Work in pairs.

a)      what is mathematics?

b)      study the underlined expressions and try to explain them.

c)      explain the difference between pure and applied mathematics.

 

2.      Now read the text, compare your answers to the Qs, and try to find more

information.

1.      what are the concepts the discipline deals with?

2.      where did the ancient maths text originate?

3.      what were the new scientific discoveries mentioned in the text?

      3. Language study. Why there is an “s” in the word mathematics?

Mathematics, or maths (British), math (American), is the discipline that deals with concepts such as quantity structure, space and change. It evolved, through the use of abstraction and logical reasoning, from counting, calculation, measurement and the study of the shapes and motions of physical objects. Mathematicians explore such concepts, aiming to formulate new conjectures and establish their truth by rigorous deduction from appropriately chosen axioms and definitions.