Mathematics is essential for understanding other sciences like physics, chemistry, biology, and engineering. All scientific laws and principles are expressed through mathematical equations and formulas. For example, Newton's laws of motion, Boyle's law, and atomic structure are all mathematically defined. Quantitative analysis and mathematical manipulations are necessary for making meaningful observations and measurements in sciences. Mathematics provides structure, shape, and precision to scientific properties and phenomena. Advanced mathematical tools have become increasingly important for fields like biology and medicine. Statistics and other mathematical methods are widely used across many sciences.
2. âMathematics is the gateway and key
to all sciencesâ
>Bacon
âWe cannot overstress the importance
of mathematics in relation to science
education and research. This has
always been so, but at no time has the
significance of mathematics been
greater than todayâ
>Kothari Commission
4. All laws and principles in physics are expressed as equations and formulae using
mathematical language and symbols.
A few examples are given below.
V = u + at
đ2
= đ˘2
+ 2as
S = ut +
1
2
đđĄ2
(Laws of Motion)
F = ma
(Newtonâs Second Law)
D =
đ
đŁ
(Density Quantified)
PV = RT
(Bouleâs Law)
In order to understand the above mentioned laws and principles, a student
needs a thorough understanding of equations, direct variations, inverse
variations and so on.
5. A teacher of mathematics, while teaching equations and variations can
make use of examples from physics. Such an approach will make
mathematics learning more significant.
The quantitative measurements and their manipulations are very
essential for understanding physics. For example, a mere knowledge
of facts like âsteam can generate powerâ or âlight changes its directions
in going from a rarer to a denser mediumâ are meaningless till they
are quantified and applied to practical situations. This is possible only
through applying mathematics.
7. Mathematics is an indispensible tool for a better understanding of
chemistry. In the words of J W Mellor, âit is almost impossible to follow the
latest developments of physical or general chemistry without a working
knowledge of higher mathematicsâ.
Mathematics gives form , shape and definiteness to the properties of
matter. All chemical combinations are governed by certain mathematical
laws.
In chemical compounds, the constituent elements are combined in a
definite ratio.
8. In chemical reactions, the chemical equations are balanced
by balancing the number of atoms on either side of the
equation.
The structure of an atom, the atomic weight, the valences of
an element are all mathematically based.
The amount of heat generated or required in various
chemical reactions are not empirical but mathematically
based.
9.
10. John Perry has correctly estimated the value of mathematics in the study of
Natural sciences by saying âin these days, all men ought to study natural
sciences, such a study is practically impossible without the knowledge of higher
mathematical methodsâ.
The Indian Education Commission has also emphasized the importance of
mathematics in the development of biological sciences in the following lines.
âapart from its (mathematics) role in the growth of physical sciences it is now
playing an increasingly important part in the development of biological
sciences.â
Thus biology and medicine which seemed to have practically no use for
advanced mathematics at the beginning of the last century, are benefiting
immensely from the intervention of sophisticated mathematical tools.
11. Statistical methods and techniques
are widely used for analyzing
complex problems relating to
physiology, genetics, heredity,
metabolism and so on.
Bacterial growth is expressed as an
exponential function.
It is now thought that the area of
topology can be used in describing
the surface of the living cell.
A new kind of algebra to represent
the thinking process is being sought
by neurophysiologists.
13. Mathematics forms the basis for all engineering courses.
A great deal of mathematics used in engineering is in the area of
differential equations, an off shoot of the calculus.
Probability theory is another area with profound applications to
engineering problems.
15. Economics, psychology and many other subjects are mathematically
oriented.
In economics, mathematical language and methods are frequently
used to interpret social phenomena, generalize laws governing
economic policy and predict economic growth.
The theory of probability is applied to many of the economic issues to
draw inferences and predict outcomes.
Statistical analysis is the only scientific method to deal with social and
psychological phenomena.
16. History and Geography are also correlated to mathematics. The history
of mathematicians and their contributions provide useful background
for the teaching of mathematics and history,
Mathematics helps in calculating the dates and days of various historical
events and in predicting the future based on the past events.
Mathematics helps in drawing the maps to the scale and locating the
distance between places.
Mathematics provides the basis for computing the longitude and
latitude, in predicting the weather conditions and climatic changes, and
planning the transportation system and so on.