Maths in 1M Years: Can We Improve?

  • Thread starter mr-tom
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Years
In summary: It's a documentary about a guy who thinks we're going to end up killing ourselves. :\In summary, if we're not extinct, maths will probably be largely the same in one million years, but there will be some advances based on how our brains develop. Language might improve somewhat, but we will likely be more efficient with fewer digits.
  • #1
mr-tom
18
0
Assuming we're not extinct, what will maths be like in one million years. Can the language be improved in any way? Would we be more efficient with fewer/more digits than 9.

Imagine if we we're using roman numerals how crap everything would be...
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
I think they'll use completely new notations for everything which would make everything so much more easier and hence teach the equivalent of abstract algebra in primary school.
 
  • #3
We probably haven't the slightest idea. Look back ten thousand years ago, then one thousand, then one hundred, it seems that mathematical speed of progress accelerates ever more. So, one million years, we can even assume that our body shape will have evolved, not even to mention knowledge...
 
  • #4
At that point in time, we have killed ourself long ago.
 
  • #5
In the future everything will commute.
 
  • #6
mr-tom said:
Assuming we're not extinct, what will maths be like in one million years. Can the language be improved in any way? Would we be more efficient with fewer/more digits than 9.

Imagine if we we're using roman numerals how crap everything would be...

What's wrong with Roman numerals?

It's a pretty lousy way to write numbers, but a very efficient way to think about numbers. If there's a problem with the system, it's that it is taught in elementary school by liberal arts majors that lack any understanding of the system other than how to write it.

It's no coincidence that it pops up in so many ways, such as money ($1, 5$, and $10 bills).

Also, we use 10 digits in a base 10 system, including 0.

Elementary schools could probably do a better job teaching kids how to count on their fingers and toes, too. (Couldn't resist)
 
  • #7
I think (actually, I hope) it will follow the evoluton of our brains - which will (probably) be routinely upgraded with various microelectronic devices.

Maybe one day we will have the capacity to perform FFTs, triple integrals and differentials etc. mentaly just like today we add or multiply numbers when we go shopping.

That would be a basis for a much more complex multi-dimensional math, but written in apparently simple way.
Say, A + B = C (mentally), where A, B and C are things we resolve today (in a painstaking manner) with tools like Matlab, Mathematica and similar, without even really understanding their intimate meaning. :rolleyes:
 
Last edited:
  • #8
The same as it is now but with more dimensions probably. Mathematicians like dimensions. Probably have some advanced probability maths that allow us to predict economics or sports with much greater precision. And physics will finally explain using an advanced mathematical model well beyond our ability to comprehend (God knows how!) How the humble bumble bee can fly.
 
  • #9
BobG said:
What's wrong with Roman numerals?
Base six (or twelve) might be more efficient, since division (multplication) by 2 and 3 become trivial. By extension, base 30 also includes 5, and base 210 includes 7... and base [tex]\Pi p_n[/tex] with n up to N will include the N fisrt prime numbers. This (modular) way of thinking about integers numbers is very powerful, leads to the continuous fraction [tex]n=a+\frac{1}{b+\frac{1}{c+\frac{1}{\cdots}}}[/tex] form which is sometimes claimed to describe how Ramanujan conceived numbers. That starting point would constitute a significant leap leading to a genuinely different construction of mathematics altogether.

Disclaimer : writing those lines, I was just listening to myself and have no intention to justify those claims unless under the theat of face fish-slapping
 
  • #10
jimmysnyder said:
In the future everything will commute.
:rofl:
I was exactly thinking the opposite :rolleyes:
 
  • #11
Fortunately I love the current way we do math in this time.

Specifically, I love how there is not yet an equation that allows computers to find crazy high prime numbers very fast. Mainly, the current equations require lots of computation rather than large numbers coming from few computations.

Case in point. Working on those numbers is probably the best way to get rich in this day in age because companies will pay you crazy amounts of money to 1) keep quiet and 2) make encoding for them.
 
  • #12
Moridin said:
At that point in time, we have killed ourself long ago.

Can you read? He said assuming we don't kill ourselves. Now, for fun, look up "End of Ze World" on Youtube.
 

1. What advancements in technology will impact the future of mathematics?

There are several advancements in technology that will greatly impact the future of mathematics. One is the development of quantum computers, which will greatly speed up calculations and allow for more complex equations to be solved. Another is the rise of artificial intelligence, which will be able to assist in mathematical problem solving and make predictions based on large sets of data.

2. How will the teaching and learning of mathematics change in the next 1 million years?

The teaching and learning of mathematics will likely become more integrated with technology in the future. This could include the use of virtual reality simulations, interactive software, and online platforms for collaborative problem solving. There may also be a shift towards more personalized learning, with adaptive algorithms tailoring lessons to individual students' needs.

3. Will there be new mathematical concepts or theories discovered in the next 1 million years?

It is highly likely that new mathematical concepts and theories will be discovered in the next 1 million years. As technology advances and our understanding of the universe deepens, there will be new phenomena to explore and describe mathematically. Additionally, the development of new mathematical tools and techniques may lead to breakthroughs in solving long-standing mathematical problems.

4. How will mathematics be applied in the future?

Mathematics will continue to be applied in a wide range of fields in the future. It will be used in fields such as finance, engineering, and science, as well as in emerging fields like data science and artificial intelligence. As technology advances, there will likely be new applications for mathematics in areas we cannot even imagine today.

5. Can mathematics be improved or will it reach its limits in 1 million years?

Mathematics is an ever-evolving field, and it is likely that there will always be room for improvement and new discoveries. However, it is also possible that there may be limits to our understanding of mathematics, particularly in regards to the nature of infinity and the complexity of certain mathematical problems. Only time will tell if these limits can be pushed even further in the next 1 million years.

Similar threads

Replies
5
Views
627
Replies
4
Views
477
  • General Discussion
Replies
1
Views
765
Replies
5
Views
841
  • General Discussion
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • Precalculus Mathematics Homework Help
Replies
20
Views
1K
  • General Discussion
Replies
1
Views
873
  • General Discussion
Replies
18
Views
940
  • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • Biology and Medical
Replies
5
Views
958
Back
Top