WEEK 1-2: Math Mystery

The question of whether mathematics is invented or discovered has long been a subject of
debate among scholars. Mathematics, as a discipline, encompasses the study of numbers,
shapes, patterns, and relationships. Some argue that mathematic principles and concepts are
man-made inventions, while others propose that mathematics is an inherent part of the
universe, waiting to be discovered. This essay aims to explore both perspectives and shed light
on the nature of mathematics.
Mathematics as an Invention:

According to one perspective, humans created mathematics. This point of view highlights the
importance of human intellect and imagination in the creation of mathematical ideas, rules,
and formulas. Human brains first created mathematical phenomena like the idea of zero and
algebraic equations to address real-world issues and advance comprehension of the universe.
The invention perspective contends that many civilizations and cultures have separately created
their own mathematical systems, implying that mathematics is a cultural construct rather than
a fundamental property of the universe. Additionally, when new theories and methods are
developed, mathematics frequently changes and advances through time, supporting the idea
that it is an invention.

Mathematics as a Discovery:

The discovery perspective, on the other hand, argues that mathematics is an objective reality
that humans are only discovering and exploring. They believe that mathematical concepts have
always existed in nature on their own and that humans have only recently become aware of
them. The Fibonacci sequence and the Pythagorean theorem, among other mathematical ideas,
have also been seen in a variety of natural events, including the arrangement of leaves on
plants and the connection between the sides of right-angled triangles. This supports the
argument that mathematics precedes humans and that we are only now beginning to
understand its fundamental concepts.

Mathematics as a combination:

The difference between mathematics as a pure creation or discovery may be oversimplified

upon examination. A special combination of invention and discovery can be found in
mathematics. Humans have created mathematical frameworks and systems, frequently
motivated by practical reasons, but they do so by identifying and expanding upon fundamental
concepts that are inherent to the universe. Both actual observations of the natural world and
abstract thoughts generated by human brains are included in mathematics. Humans only
become aware of the inherent mathematical logic and order embedded in the universe's
structures through the process of invention.
Conclusion:

In conclusion, the best way to understand mathematics is as a product of both invention and
discovery. Despite the fact that humans have created mathematical systems and pushed the
field's bounds with their creative thinking, they have done so by drawing on the universe's
fundamental order and patterns. Human creativity and the underlying concepts we uncover
simultaneously shape mathematics since it is an ongoing study. In the end, this fusion of
invention and discovery assures that mathematics will continue to advance and be an
important aspect of human understanding.

References:
 Megan Fordham, Is mathematics man-made or intrinsic to nature?
https://www.origoeducation.com.au/blog/is-mathematics-man-made-or-intrinsic-to-
nature/#:~:text=Maths%20is%20a%20human%20construct,-Of%20course%2C
%20the&text=Maths%20is%20a%20product%20of,humans'%20instinctual%20thirst
%20for%20rationalisation. January 18, 2023.
 Sonal Mishra, Who invented math and when? https://moonpreneur.com/blog/who-
invented-math-and-when/, March 7, 2023.
 Evan Martis, Mathematics: Both an invention and discovery,
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/mathematics-both-invention-discovery-evan-martis/,
August 25, 2021.