“Many often wonder why math is important? Often, the mere fact that this discipline is in the compulsory program of schools and universities, puts people in bewilderment. This confusion is reflected in the following: Like, why am I, a man whose future (or current) profession is not connected with the conduct of the calculations and the application of mathematical methods to know math?” (Ramana, 2007)
Mathematics is a fundamental science, the methods of which are actively used in many natural disciplines, such as physics, chemistry and even biology.
“By itself, this area of knowledge operates abstract relations and relationships, i.e. those entities, which themselves are not something real. Nevertheless, one has only to enter mathematics in any area of science about the world she once embodied in the description, modeling, and prediction is quite a real and specific natural processes. Here she takes on flesh and blood, leaving under the cover of idealized and divorced from life formulas and calculations.” (Eves, 1990)
Mathematics is a tool of understanding the world. It is a precise science that tolerates the arbitrary interpretation and various speculations. This is incarnation of the order and the rigid logic. It helps to understand the world around us, learn more about its laws, since these laws are subject to the same order that reigns in mathematics! Thanks to the application of mathematics we do not need to carry out costly and life-threatening experiments before implement any complex project, for example, in space exploration. We can pre-calculate the parameters of the orbit of the spacecraft are launched from the ground to deliver astronauts to the space station. Mathematical calculations will not risk the life of the people, and to estimate in advance all the necessary parameters for a missile launch, providing a safe flight.
Math allows us to develop some important mental qualities, which I wrote in the article about the development of intelligence (how to develop intelligence). This is analytical, deductive (ability to generalize), critical prognostic (ability to predict, think a few steps ahead) abilities.
Also this discipline improves the chances of abstract thinking (because it is an abstract science), the ability to concentrate, trains memory and enhances the speed of thought. That's how much you get! But at the same time you or your children can lose a lot, if you do not pay proper attention to this subject.
Math and science are very important both for the development of humanity as a whole, and for the intellectual improvement of a particular individual. Of course, the balanced development of the individual mental development implies not only the exact items, but also the humanities. Reading quality literature, for example, is also necessary for you if you want to develop.
But this is not enough. I would like to supplement the wording of this statement: "If you want to become smart you need to read a lot," adding to it "- and do the math." Otherwise, this is the effect of only one reading books are like a body without a skeleton or a building without a skeleton. One without the other is difficult.
That is why many humanists, no matter how well they did not get in their subject area, suffer mental confusion and lack of sober judgment, and many avid math geeks and closed world of abstract formulas and calculations, losing touch with the real world.
The golden rule - everything is good in moderation, inheritance harmoniously developed mind, versatility at the most basic level! All together, books and math! This is not a sermon in praise of dilettantism, no, in their areas of expertise you need to be a professional and a specialist, an expert is their business. But as far as your base of knowledge and expertise, there should be from a little of everything.
Sources
Ramana (2007). Applied Mathematics. Tata McGraw–Hill Education. p. 2.10. ISBN 0-07-066753-5. "The mathematical study of change, motion, growth or decay is calculus."
Courant, Richard and H. Robbins, What Is Mathematics?: An Elementary Approach to Ideas and Methods, Oxford University Press, USA; 2 edition (July 18, 1996). ISBN 0-19-510519-2.
Eves, Howard, An Introduction to the History of Mathematics, Sixth Edition, Saunders, 1990, ISBN 0-03-029558-0.
