Introduction

Mathematics is an indispensable subject of study. It plays an important role in forming the basis of all other sciences which deal with the material substance of space and time.

What is Mathematics?

Mathematics may be described as the fundamental science. It may be broadly described as the science of space, time and number. The universe exists in space and time, and is constituted of units of matter. To calculate the extension or composition of matter in space and time and to compute the units that make up the total mass of the material universe is the object of Mathematics. For the space-time quantum is everywhere full of matter and we have to know matter mathematically in the first instance.

Importance of Mathematics

Knowledge of Mathematics is absolutely necessary for the study of the physical sciences.

Computation and calculation are the bases of all studies that deal with matter in any form.

Even the physician who has to study biological cells and bacilli need to have a knowledge of Mathematics, if he means to reduce the margin of error which alone can make his diagnosis dependable.

To the mechanic and the engineer it is a constant guide and help, and without exact knowledge of Mathematics, they cannot proceed one step in coming to grips with any complicated problem.

Be it the airplane or the atom bomb, radio-communication or nuclear power, anything that has to do with anything concerning matter in any form, a knowledge of the principles of Mathematics is the one thing absolutely necessary.

Of course, it goes without saying that an elementary knowledge of the simplest branch of Mathematics, arithmetic, is the daily requirement of every man and woman in the ordinary affairs of life.

Intellectual Value of Mathematics

Mathematics has a most important bearing on the intellect as such. Study of Mathematics promotes habits of accuracy and exactitude, and prevents a man from being careless and slipshod.

It sharpens the reasoning powers of a man and increases his mental alertness.

On the whole a mathematically minded man is usually more dependable than one who is otherwise disposed. That is why the study of some Mathematics is compulsory up to the secondary stage of all education systems, and its habit has to be sedulously fostered.

Conclusion

In the modern age, the intensely abstract nature of pure Mathematics has brought the science nearer to philosophy. Knowledge of Mathematics is indispensable both for the man in the street as well as for scientists and philosophers.