Practical applications and maths

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the question of whether there exists any branch of mathematics that lacks practical applications in the physical or real world. Participants explore various perspectives on the applicability of different mathematical fields, including theoretical versus applied mathematics.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that all branches of mathematics could be argued to have practical applications, while others believe that certain types of math are more directly applicable than others.
  • Cryptography is presented as an example of a more applied area of mathematics compared to Abstract Algebra, which is seen as more theoretical.
  • There is a discussion about the nature of courses in mathematics, with some participants noting that applied courses like Cryptography do not require a deep understanding of Abstract Algebra.
  • Magic squares and the Rubik's cube are mentioned as examples of mathematical concepts that may lack practical applications, although one participant recalls a potential connection to computer science for magic squares.
  • Some participants express uncertainty about the applicability of certain mathematical concepts, questioning whether any mathematics can truly be devoid of practical use.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether any mathematics lacks practical applications. Multiple competing views are presented regarding the applicability of different mathematical fields and concepts.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying definitions of what constitutes a "practical application," leading to ambiguity in the discussion. There are also unresolved questions about specific mathematical concepts and their real-world relevance.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in the philosophy of mathematics, the distinction between applied and pure mathematics, and those exploring the relevance of mathematical concepts in real-world scenarios may find this discussion insightful.

nobahar
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This is a question that got me thinking, but no further! Hence why I ask it here:
Does anyone know of any mathematics that DOESN'T have practical applications?
By practical I mean physical, real world applications.
 
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Does physical and real-world include computer science?
 
Well, I'm sure that somebody could argue that any branch of mathematics you named was exceptionally practical as well as beautifully theoretical.

But I for one believe that some types of math are more "practical" than others, in that they are more directly applicable.

For instance, cryptography compared to Abstract Algebra.
 
I'm not sure what you mean by "cryptography compared to Abstract Algebra".

Cryptography is an application of mathematics, not mathematics itself, which uses a lot of Abstract Algebra.
 
I'd say physical and real world includes computers, I mean something that just doesn't apply anywhere. For example, when learning maths you often use practical applications to improve your understanding, is there something you can't really do that with? I personally can't see that being possible, but I'm not that well informed!
 
I simply meant that if you take a course under the heading "Cryptography" it will be more "applied", and hence more applicable to the real world, than a course under the heading "Abstract Algebra". For just the reason you stated...

At my school, Abstract Algebra wasn't even a prerequisite for Cryptography, because they cherry-picked the Algebra you needed to know and retaught it as applicable. Courses like that I believe are about as applied as you can get in Mathematics departments...

Not that there's anything wrong with pure mathematics.
 
nobahar said:
This is a question that got me thinking, but no further! Hence why I ask it here:
Does anyone know of any mathematics that DOESN'T have practical applications?
By practical I mean physical, real world applications.

Magic Squares? Rubiks cube?

Apart from the application of novelty I'm not sure what utility they have.
 
I recall magic squares being used to solve some sort of comp-sci type problem, but now for the life of me can't remember what it was. It probably had no actual application to the real world anyway though.

I'm not entirely convinced that a Rubik's cube is strictly an area of mathematics
 

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