Can Equations Be Purely Aesthetic?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Greg Bernhardt
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Art Contest
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on a contest aimed at creating aesthetically pleasing mathematical equations. Participants are encouraged to submit one valid equation, with the winner receiving Carlo Rovelli's book "Seven Brief Lessons on Physics." Notable entries include the Double Gaussian wavefunction and the Binet's Fibonacci number formula, both praised for their beauty and symmetry. The contest emphasizes creativity over significance, inviting members to appreciate equations purely for their visual appeal.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of mathematical notation and terminology
  • Familiarity with concepts in physics and mathematics, such as wavefunctions and Fibonacci sequences
  • Knowledge of the aesthetic principles in mathematics
  • Basic comprehension of equations and their validity
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore the properties of the Double Gaussian wavefunction in quantum mechanics
  • Study the Binet's formula and its applications in number theory
  • Research the aesthetic aspects of mathematical equations and their historical significance
  • Investigate the relationship between mathematics and art, particularly in visual representations
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for mathematicians, physicists, educators, and anyone interested in the intersection of aesthetics and mathematics. It provides insights into how equations can be appreciated beyond their functional significance.

Messages
19,865
Reaction score
10,850
The goal is to create the most beautiful or interesting equation aesthetically (pleasing to the eye).
This is not about it's significance.

  • Each member is allowed to post one equation.
  • The equation can be completely new and made up (doesn't have to be famous).
  • Be creative!
  • The equation must be valid and true.

To vote for an equation simply click the "like" button. You can vote more than once. The contest will close next Thursday the 31st.

The winner will receive a copy of Carlo Rovelli's new book "Seven Brief Lessons on Physics"
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0241235960/?tag=pfamazon01-20

ps. do not try to register new usernames for more entries or for likes. It's painfully easy to figure these out.

Have fun! Go!
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: fuzzyfelt, CynicusRex, ProfuselyQuarky and 1 other person
Mathematics news on Phys.org
\psi(x_{1},x_{2})=\frac{1}{\sqrt{2\pi\sigma_{+}\sigma_{-}}}\;e^{-\Big[\frac{(x_{1}+x_{2})^{2}}{8\sigma_{+}^{2}}+\frac{(x_{1}-x_{2})^{2}}{8\sigma_{-}^{2}}\Big]}

This is a popular wavefunction describing pairs of entangled particles, called the Double Gaussian wavefunction. It has a lot of symmetry, is incredibly easy to work with, and to me, is easy on the eyes as far as joint wavefunctions go.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: QuantumQuest, MexChemE, Patrick Sossoumihen and 1 other person
## a_n = \frac{(\frac{1 + \sqrt{5}}{2})^n - (\frac{1 - \sqrt{5}}{2})^n}{ \sqrt{5}} ##
The Binet´s Fibonacci number formula, which produces de Fibonacci's sequence 0,1,1,2,3,5,... from powers of the golden ratio.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: TooSelfAware, dextercioby, Angel Penaflor and 6 others
Greg Bernhardt said:
The goal is to create the most beautiful or interesting equation ascetically (pleasing to the eye).

  • Each member is allowed to post one equation.
  • The equation can be completely new and made up (doesn't have to be famous).
  • Be creative!
  • The equation must be valid and true.

To vote for an equation simply click the "like" button. The contest will close next Thursday the 24th.

The winner will receive a copy of Carlo Rovelli's new book "Seven Brief Lessons on Physics"
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0241235960/?tag=pfamazon01-20

ps. do not try to register new usernames for more entries or for likes. It's painfully easy to figure these out.

Have fun! Go!

For all x \geq 0,
\frac{x^{2} + 1}{x + 1} \geq 2 ( \sqrt{2} - 1 ) , and the equality holds for x = \sqrt{2} - 1.
The problem is, I believe, the above algebraic inequality is more useful than Rovelli’s book. :wink:
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Samy_A and Greg Bernhardt
e+1=0
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: PWiz, yeezyseason3, einswine and 6 others
##a^2+b^2=c^2##
I was going to go with De Moivre's Theorem, but simplicity beautiful and this is a classic. The Pythagorean Theorem is what first made me realize that math is so alluring.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Sophia and Patrick Sossoumihen
$$\Delta\phi ~\propto\, \oint A \cdot dx$$Cf. The Aharonov-Bohm effect. I.e., the electron phase shift arising in a closed loop around a solenoid. This is also one of the most beautiful things in (theoretical and experimental) quantum mechanics, imho.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: StudentOfScience, mgkii, haisydinh and 6 others
t' = γt
 
I am going to do something interesting.:smile:
According the law of parallel universes,There can be different worlds with different laws.If in our world Einstein proved E=mc^2,then there's another world where Ainstein proved :
M=ec^2

That's beautiful,right ?

P.S : You can't question it's validity.It's true about the parallel universes and hence questioning whether the equation has any existence has no basis:wink:
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: TheQuietOne
  • #10
e=mc2. The most brilliant equation I've ever seen and it kind of made me appreciate mathematics
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Patrick Sossoumihen
  • #11
Let's see who gets this first.. $$y=cos (x)+cos (2x) $$
 
  • #12
The continuity equation. An elegant, yet simple way to state one of physics most powerful laws, the conservation of mass.
\frac{\partial \rho}{\partial t} + \nabla \cdot (\rho \mathbf{v}) = 0
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: StudentOfScience, vela, Saph and 7 others
  • #13
## \mathcal{R}_{\mu \nu}-\frac 1 2 \mathcal R g_{\mu \nu}=8 \pi \mathcal{T}_{\mu\nu}##
"Matter tells spacetime how to curve...", ooops, only one equation, so only half the sentence!:wink:
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Samy_A, StudentOfScience, QuantumQuest and 2 others
  • #14
\frac {\lambda}{2 \pi} = \frac{\hbar}{m c}
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Patrick Sossoumihen
  • #15
The Schwarzschild solution can be considered as a global solution of the vacuum equations, Tμν = 0, i.e. Rμν = 0
everywhere, even at r = 0. In this case, the Schwarzschild solution is called a black hole, since nothing can escape from the horizon at r = RS.

https://scontent.fath4-1.fna.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xaf1/v/t1.0-9/11971_10208901219025504_2497836378603654750_n.jpg?oh=ccf2e5340a092da9cae3de641a72c9d2&oe=577C0CF7
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: StudentOfScience and CynicusRex
  • #16
Just a simple equation, F=ma, and so much physics and technology from it.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Patrick Sossoumihen and Aafia
  • #17
##d(x, y) = \sup \{\frac{\bar{d}_i(x_i, y_i)}{i}\}##

This represents a metric on the topological product ##\prod_{i \in \mathbb{N}} X_i## of a countable family of metrizable topological spaces .
Here ##x, y \in \prod_{i \in \mathbb{N}} X_i##, ##x_i, y_i \in X_i##, ##i \in \mathbb{N}## and ##\bar{d}_i## is the standard bounded metric on ##X_i##.
This is a powerful metrization theorem in topology since it proves that the product of a countable family of metrizable spaces is itself metrizable, and can be used as the starting point for proving (one of my favorite theorems in mathematics) the Urysohn metrization theorem.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: dextercioby
  • #18
an equation in physics giving the kinetic energy of a photoelectron emitted from a metal as a result of the absorption of a radiation quantum: Ek=hν−ω
 
  • #19
upload_2016-3-25_10-50-20.png

when studying the different areas in Physics, have you ever wondered why waves, cycles and oscillations appear to dominate our universe, from the distribution of matter in the CMB down to description of particles, and even further down for some (string theory).
And it's not all, how come we, as conscious beings, find beauty when we combine them in symmetrical ways (music, combination of colors like in paintings, cyclic arrangements...)?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Patrick Sossoumihen
  • #20
\prod_{p~\text{prime}} \frac{1}{1 - p^{-2}} = \frac{\pi^2}{6}

Why is this beautiful? Well, on the left hand side, you have objects from arithmetic. Prime numbers, which are essentially determined by numbers divisible only through 1 and itself. On the right-hand side, we have an object from geometry. The number pi, which gives us the circumference and area of a circle. At first sight, these two are very elementary objects with no relation. But then we obtain this very strange, elusive and beautiful relation between such two objects.
Contrary to ##e^{\pi i} +1 = 0## (which is essentially a definition and cannot be checked heuristically), this one can be checked heuristically. Just take as many primes as you want and calculate the product to see you get closer and closer to ##\pi##.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Demystifier, PerilousGourd, Samy_A and 17 others
  • #21
DaTario said:
## a_n = \frac{(\frac{1 + \sqrt{5}}{2})^n - (\frac{1 - \sqrt{5}}{2})^n}{ \sqrt{5}} ##
The Binet´s Fibonacci number formula, which produces de Fibonacci's sequence 0,1,1,2,3,5,... from powers of the golden ratio.
Praise to the Golden Ratio.
 
  • #22
mrspeedybob said:
e+1=0
This one is famous i think so.
 
  • #23
Student100 said:
Let's see who gets this first.. $$y=cos (x)+cos (2x) $$
Isnt that just a function?
 
  • #24
micromass said:
\prod_{p~\text{prime}} \frac{1}{1 - p^{-2}} = \frac{\pi^2}{6}

Why is this beautiful? Well, on the left hand side, you have objects from arithmetic. Prime numbers, which are essentially determined by numbers divisible only through 1 and itself. On the right-hand side, we have an object from geometry. The number pi, which gives us the circumference and area of a circle. At first sight, these two are very elementary objects with no relation. But then we obtain this very strange, elusive and beautiful relation between such two objects.
Contrary to ##e^{\pi i} +1 = 0## (which is essentially a definition and cannot be checked heuristically), this one can be checked heuristically. Just take as many primes as you want and calculate the product to see you get closer and closer to ##\pi##.
If you re trying to solve the Riemann Hypothesis, do it before i die.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: member 587159
  • #25
micromass said:
\prod_{p~\text{prime}} \frac{1}{1 - p^{-2}} = \frac{\pi^2}{6}

Why is this beautiful? Well, on the left hand side, you have objects from arithmetic. Prime numbers, which are essentially determined by numbers divisible only through 1 and itself. On the right-hand side, we have an object from geometry. The number pi, which gives us the circumference and area of a circle. At first sight, these two are very elementary objects with no relation. But then we obtain this very strange, elusive and beautiful relation between such two objects.
Contrary to ##e^{\pi i} +1 = 0## (which is essentially a definition and cannot be checked heuristically), this one can be checked heuristically. Just take as many primes as you want and calculate the product to see you get closer and closer to ##\pi##.

NEW
Ooooh, I really like this one... gives me the shivers :-)!
 
  • #26
Complex Analysis is pure poetry.

One poem:

##\displaystyle f(a)=\frac{1}{2\pi i}\oint_{\gamma} \frac{f(z)}{z-a}dz##
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Demystifier, AZW, vela and 15 others
  • #27
-R^2y+y^3-2Rxz-2x^2z+yz^2=0

I have always loved the mobius srip, but still can't emagine how much it helped the world of science!
 
  • #28
Samy_A said:
Complex Analysis is pure poetry.

One poem:

##\displaystyle f(a)=\frac{1}{2\pi i}\oint_{\gamma} \frac{f(z)}{z-a}dz##

I would have voted for you if you did Stokes theorem which is the more general version (in some sense).
 
  • #29
micromass said:
I would have voted for you if you did Stokes theorem which is the more general version (in some sense).
Damn, that was my other finalist. :oldsmile:
 
  • #30
The first things which come to my mind when I think about beauty in physics are the connection between gravity and geometry in GR and the connection between symmetries and conserved quantities which is given by Noether's theorem. Aesthetically, I really like the bra-ket notation of Dirac. Trying to combine physics and aesthetics, I end up with the Schrödinger equation:

i \hbar \frac{d}{dt} |\psi\rangle = H |\psi\rangle
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: haisydinh

Similar threads

  • · Replies 89 ·
3
Replies
89
Views
14K
Replies
15
Views
41K