Introduction to Math and Physics

The importance of Mathematics and Physics to the world cannot be overstated; this is because fundamental operation of the Universe rest on the foundation of these two disciplines. If the Universe is a computer simulation, then it will not be unfair to claim that Physics and Mathematics are its coding language. In fact, physicists and engineers make use of these understanding as tools to create new technologies that better our living, such as our Iphone, the Internet, aeroplanes and self-driving cars.

Mathematics concerns itself with the logical structure of the Universe. It begins with the discussion of quantity, which we termed numbers, and the addition of them, i.e. 1+1=2. Next is the notion of shape, which we termed geometry. These two truths occurs almost everywhere in our daily lives, but which we often take for granted in our preoccupation; for instance that normal humans must have 2 eyes and 5 fingers, that the Sun and stars are spherical in shape. And hence from these self-evident truths, which we termed axioms, Mathematicians could derive more complex mathematical laws through the application of logic, e.g. Pythagoras Theorem, Calculus etc.

Physics concerns itself with physical structure of the Universe. It initially began with Natural Philosophy of the Greeks who questioned about matter and the fundamental rules of motion, until an empirical approach was established by Galileo Galilei, who conducted experiments to establish physical truths e.g. Dropping objects of different weight to discover that they fall at the same rate due to gravity, and observing through telescope that moons and planets move in orbits. This paved the way for Isaac Newton to finally inscribe the physical laws of his time in mathematical framework, in a landmark work, Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy.