Mathematics is everywhere but not visible like God – Prof. Agarwal

SPSTI organized a lecture today entitled “Mathematics is everywhere but not visible, like God”, at Department of Mathematics, Panjab University as part of its regular activity, Monthly lecture Series. The lecture was delivered by Prof. A.K. Agarwal, Department of Mathematics of Panjab University.

Professor Agarwal says that the contribution of mathematician is under recognized. Even learned people belonging to other branches of science consider it superfluous to teach abstract mathematics such as algebra and topology. Similarly there are many who feel that mathematics is a dead science. However we are living in the era of digital communication, and satellite communication is based on coding theories which use finite field theories, a part of algebra. If we stop teaching and learning algebra then will such communication theories and practices develop?

Similarly, Cryptography uses prime numbers, whereas topology is used in data science. There is a plethora of such examples. Understanding the universe from Galileo to Kepler to Newton to Einstein, has been possible only because of mathematics. Mathematics is all around us.

Mathematical models are used even in psychology and social sciences, apart from pure sciences like physics, chemistry, life sciences and biological sciences. Prediction of future by Scientists (not astrologers) makes extensive use of mathematics. They foretell climate changes, earthquakes, tsunamis, etc. Teaching of mathematics in schools has a lot to be desired. It is not really a popular subject because of myths associated with difficulty or usability of the subject. Mathematics needs to be made more attractive. The ignorance of some people could not recognize the importance of mathematics which is applied in every walk of life.