Fascinating Facts about Mathematics

Mathematics is the science of numbers. The mathematical methods are applicable to many spheres of our life and allow us to explain the structure of the Universe and the laws of nature. Mathematics is often called the Queen of the Sciences because many other sciences are based on the mathematical concepts. At the same time, there are many interesting and curious facts associated with this complicated science. Here are some of them.

Origin of the number system.
The origination of the decimal number system, which we use today, is connected with the fact that a human being has ten fingers on two hands. Before people developed the ability to abstract thinking the fingers were the most convenient tool for calculations. The Maya also involved the toes into their number scale and used the vigesimal numbering system. The Sumerians and the ancient Babylonians utilized the sexagesimal and the duodecimal number systems, based on using the thumb pointing to each finger bone on the four fingers in turn, this way it is possible to count to 12 using one hand only. So, our fingers are an ancient source of the knowledge of math.

Insects and animals have basic math abilities.
The experiments on ants showed that they can tell each other the way to food, count and make some elementary arithmetic operations. If an ant is taught that the food may be more likely found in 10th, 20th, etc. branches of labyrinth, the ant takes these branches as the starting points and finds the way by adding or subtracting the needed number. Bees also possess awesome math ability. While flying round the flowers, bees are able to find an optimal route – the shortest possible way needed to visit each flower and to come back to the beehive. No wonder that experiments on fish, dogs, monkeys and dolphins constantly reveal even more advanced math abilities of these species. Even the leaves on plants are located in strict order, distanced from each other at a certain angle clockwise or counterclockwise. This angle is the same for similar plants. This feature allows getting water and sunlight more efficiently.

Math has its holidays.
There are two unofficial holidays intended to commemorate the number ? (pi). In the United States Pi Day is observed on March 14, which is 3/14 in month/day date format. The second holiday, Pi Approximation Day, is observed on July 22. in day/month date format this day is written as 22/7 and resembles a common fractional approximation of ?.

These are just several interesting facts from the world of mathematics. There are many other amazing facts hiding behind complicated formulas, fractions and equations. Do not allow them to frighten you and find your way to see fun even in such a complicated subject as math.