Nature of Mathematics- Is math a science?

          

            At first glance at the question, “Is math a science?’, I would say no. All throughout school I loved math class and disliked most science classes. So from that I do not want to say math is a science. Additionally, in every school math class and science class are separate subjects you must learn. However, that does not answer the question; that is just my gut reaction.

            Thinking about it further, I have still concluded that math is not a science. Math is used in science, but science does not have to be used in math. Science involves investigating and studying the physical and natural world while math uses procedures and operations to explore possible worlds.

            Some instances that science uses math include when scientists have to quantify an object’s mass or length. Scientists sometimes use mathematical data charts to organize their information and find patterns. Additionally, chemists use algebra to figure out the proportions of compounds to use to make a reaction. However, weighing and measuring objects, organizing information, and algebra are not strictly used for scientific information. Science borrows these tools and ideas from math. Without these tools, scientists would not be able to discover many things they now know.

            Math on the other hand does not ever need to use science. Math does not need to use real world examples to make discoveries. It can use possible worlds and be very abstract.

            I am not trying to say that there are no relationships between math and science. Both are very structured in the way new information is found. Mathematicians use proofs and scientists use the scientific method. However, proofs and the scientific method are not the same, but both are systematic. For proofs, definitions and axioms are used to create a logical argument that shows a statement is true. For the scientific method, you ask a question, do research, create a hypothesis, experiment, draw a conclusion, and then report results. These differences help me to think that math is not a science.

            I think that mathematics follows more rules and is more logical. Once something in math is proven, it will always be true. Scientists use experiments which can give varying results. It is not as black and white for scientists to be certain if the results of their experiments are true one hundred percent of the time.   
            In conclusion, I do not think math is a science. Math and science have many connections but I do not believe these connections are enough to say math is a science. I think math is used as a tool for science, but science does not need to be used in math. Math is so much more than the ways it is used in science which makes be believe it is not a science.

           Even though I think math is not a science, it is important to hear others points of view of the question and challenge what I think. Additionally, it is possible my students one day will ask me this and I will be open to hear their opinions and share mine with them.

Citation

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