Mathematics appears to be both discovered and invented. While mathematical concepts like shapes, sizes and quantities have always existed in nature and been waiting to be discovered, many mathematical tools, systems and theories have been invented by humans over centuries to help develop mathematics as a formal science. Key inventions include numerical systems, abstraction of concepts, and tools like the abacus, while mathematical objects and patterns in nature have been discovered through observation and study. Overall, mathematics has advanced through both the discovery of principles present in the universe and the invention of tools and ideas to formally express and apply these principles.

1. One’s own work
Submitted by, Submitted to,
Anchulekshmi.A.R
Mathematics
Reg No:18014350002 Prinsamma.K.George
Submitted on,
01/10/2015

2. Was mathematics discovered or invented
A question that has baffled scientists for centuries, a question whose answer
doesn’t seem quite straight forward- was mathematics discovered or invented? In
this Baffle article, we have tried to shed light on whether math is an invention or
discovery…..
It is mathematics that offers the exact natural sciences a certain measures of
security which, without mathematics, they could not attain-Albert Einstein
Invention or discovery?
Mathematics was always present in nature, waiting to be discovered. In fact,
it is present everywhere in the universe. But math, as a subject, is dreaded and
scary for many. Even thinking about calculations, theorems, algebra, geometry,
permutations and combinations gives goose bumps to some people.
Mathematics as a science is not a discovery by a single person. It is a joint
effort which was started by the Babylonians and Egyptians, way back in 3000 BC.
There are important contributions from the Greeks, Indians and others, which have
helped develop mathematical concepts, abstracts, formulae, etc. The discovery of
various constants, laws and theorems is based on the invention of the numerical
system. All of these numbers give physics, chemistry and all the other sciences a
much-needed back bone, which supports and gives them a definite measure.
Why is it a Discovery?
The concepts of mathematics have always been in nature. The shapes,
symmetry, sizes and quantities, have always been an integral part of natural
phenomenon. The symmetry, shapes, Fibonacci sequence, all the above mentioned

3. phenomena are an integral part of the universe, and of mathematics as well. We
have just discovered these phenomena and named them. However, there are a few
inventions that took place which helped develop mathematics as a science.
Some inventions in mathematics
After the beginning of trade in ancient time, a need for counting was
developed. The human hand was the first device used to count the number of
quantities. After the number ten, rocks, pebbles, shells or other natural markers
were used to count. Many, few, nothing, infinite etc are associated with the
counting of terms in mathematics. Before the advent of the numerical system, these
were the terms that described quantities. Then developed the Hindu- Arabic
numerical system, which gave rise to abacus and accounting
The invention of the numerical system greatly advanced and developed
mathematics. Eminent mathematicians like Euclid, Pythagoras, Archimedes, Plato
etc built up mathematics as a concept. Various geometrical theorems, algebraic
concepts and formulae, differential integration and calculations, logarithms,
decimal point, graphical representation geometrical instruments like the protractor
or Euler, digital languages, and mathematical signs were invented, which helped
mathematics scale new heights and evolve as a science.