Why do Mathematics?
SCHOOL OF MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS
July 2009
WHY DO MATHEMATICS?
1
WY IS
MATHEMATICS
IMPORTANT?
Mathematics is the language
of physical sciences,
economics and finance.
Statistics pervades all
sciences and commerce.
Feb 2011
WHY DO MATHEMATICS?
2
Why is Mathematics Important?
All the great civilizations of the past rose
because of Mathematics.
Every great scientific discovery was
preceded by a corresponding breakthrough
in Mathematics – look up the history of
Einstein’s theory of relativity, the Lorentz
Transformation and Minokowski’s unified
space-time model.
Feb 2011
WHY DO MATHEMATICS?
3
Mathematics is
Fascinating!!
Many discoveries in Physics
were predicted by
Mathematics before they were
observed experimentally.
Feb 2011
WHY DO MATHEMATICS?
4
Examples
Radio Waves, Big Bang Theory,
General Theory of Relativity,
Planck’s quanta, Black Holes,
Antimatter, Quarks,…
Ref: Mathematics as a Sixth Sense, Stephane Durand
http://www.math.ecnu.edu.cn/earcome3/poster/EARCOME3_Durand_Stephane_Poster.doc
Feb 2011
WHY DO MATHEMATICS?
5
CAREERS IN
MATHEMATICS AND
STATISTICS
All quantitative
disciplines need
Mathematics!
Feb 2011
WHY DO MATHEMATICS?
6
Skill Shortage!!
Skill shortage is not in taxi drivers,
managers, real estate agents,
parcel deliverers, bakers, bank
tellers, check out personnel,….
IT IS IN PEOPLE WITH TECHNICAL
SKILLS! AND THESE CAREERS
NEED MATHEMATICS!
Feb 2011
WHY DO MATHEMATICS?
7
Salaries – March 2010 Data
Top 10
Sector
Average Australian Salary
Mining, Oil & Gas
Construction, Building & Architecture
Executive
Engineering
IT & Telecommunications
Marketing
Scientific
Human Resources & Recruitment
Banking & Financial Services
Sales
Average Min Average Max Average
$90,470
$70,625
$47,375
$59,302
$47,023
$45,146
$41,524
$40,300
$40,879
$43,351
$37,125
$229,375
$214,412
$255,199
$197,455
$189,305
$164,091
$140,500
$183,533
$180,118
$167,500
$138,005
$123,339
$123,007
$117,017
$97,571
$86,231
$85,302
$84,952
$84,506
$81,793
How many of these need Mathematics?
Source: http://content.mycareer.com.au/salary-centre/?ads=0&s_cid=215859
Feb 2011
WHY DO MATHEMATICS?
8
Mathematics and Statistics
are needed in:
• Physical sciences: physics, physical
chemistry, bio-physics, engineering
(all varieties), geo-physics (geostatistics), biomechanics,
computing science, Software
Engineers, Database Managers, ….
Feb 2011
WHY DO MATHEMATICS?
9
Mathematics and Statistics
are needed in:
• Business: economics, finance,
actuarial studies, management.
Financial Analyst, Risk Analyst,
Insurance, Investment Banking,
Economics and Commerce,
Software Engineers, Database
Managers, ….
July 2009
WHY DO MATHEMATICS?
10
And
• Biological sciences: bio-statistics,
bio-informatics, bio-metrics,
psychological measurement,
medical statistics, medical imaging,
medical engineering, exercise
science, bio-mechanics, ecology
social statistics.
Feb 2011
WHY DO MATHEMATICS?
11
Mathematics and Statistics
• Some career paths need mathematics
and or statistics (engineering, physics).
• Others (such as financial or biological)
are enhanced by selected knowledge in
mathematics and particularly statistics.
• Someone with high level training in M&S
has all quantitative careers open to them.
Feb 2011
WHY DO MATHEMATICS?
12
Do More Mathematics!!
Technical skills are enhanced with
higher level of Mathematics and
Statistics. We in Australia are
lagging behind the world, whereas
we can be world leaders in science
and technology!!
Feb 2011
WHY DO MATHEMATICS?
13
We all use the telephone, television, internet,
transport, fridges, computer games, satellites
for communications and weather forecasting,
computers, electricity, transport (cars, planes,),
mobile devices,….
NONE OF THESE WOULD BE POSSIBLE
WITHOUT MATHEMATICS!!
Feb 2011
WHY DO MATHEMATICS?
14
Applications of Mathematics
The following posters illustrate the vast
application of Mathematics in everyday life.
July 2009
WHY DO MATHEMATICS?
15
Weather
Feb 2011
WHY DO MATHEMATICS?
16
Global Warming
Feb 2011
WHY DO MATHEMATICS?
17
Aerodynamics
Feb 2011
WHY DO MATHEMATICS?
18
Gene Research
Feb 2011
WHY DO MATHEMATICS?
19
Coding and Security
Feb 2011
WHY DO MATHEMATICS?
20
Tsunamis
Feb 2011
WHY DO MATHEMATICS?
21
Hurricanes
Feb 2011
WHY DO MATHEMATICS?
22
Blockages
Why don’t more people do Mathematics?
Feb 2011
WHY DO MATHEMATICS?
23
Blockages
Mathematics is hard!
Yes it is! But it is also very
rewarding, and is no more
harder than learning to skate or
tennis! It takes time to understand
new ideas and concepts.
In any endeavour you need to do
something hard to excel!
Feb 2011
WHY DO MATHEMATICS?
24
Blockages
You need to be bright to do
Mathematics.
No! You need not be very bright. But
Mathematics makes your brighter.
And it will improve your skills and
understanding of other related
subjects.
Feb 2011
WHY DO MATHEMATICS?
25
Blockages
I don’t need a lot of Mathematics for
science!
Wrong! A higher level of
Mathematical skill will make you a
better Scientist and Engineer.
Great discoveries and higher level
performance in physics and
engineering innovation requires
high level Mathematics.
July 2009
WHY DO MATHEMATICS?
26
Rewards of doing Mathematics
• Problem solving skills that will help you in
every aspect of your life.
• Good organisational skills.
• Logical, clearer thinking.
• A very interesting, satisfying life full of
challenges and achievements!
Feb 2011
WHY DO MATHEMATICS?
27
Rewards of doing Mathematics
USE YOUR SKILL AND
TALENT TO SOLVE THE
PROBLEMS OF THE
WORLD!!
Feb 2011
WHY DO MATHEMATICS?
28
Web Sites
1. https://www.maths.uwa.edu.au
2. http://www.austms.org.au/Jobs/Job_listings.html
3. http://www.statsci.org/index.html
4. http://www.newton.cam.ac.uk/wmy2kposters/
Feb 2011
WHY DO MATHEMATICS?
29