Mathematics, intro session

This week we began to explore mathematics as an Area of Knowledge (AOK) and the presentation used can be found on Edline. It was interesting watching and listening to your definitions of mathematics and the certainty with which the truths of mathematics are held. Notably the reaction generated when it was demonstrated that NOT all angles of a triangle add up to 180 degrees. This demo and the problem with finding a flat plane to create real parallel lines should have secured for you the importance of using Axioms in Mathematics. Interesting that we need assumptions before we can do the sums!?!

The Thursday group featured a really good presentation by Kuba based on decision making. We then fell into one of those discussion rabbit holes for over 30 minutes contemplating how to make winning decisions in Chess based on more than just pure logic. Dias and I now need to play chess to settle our difference of views! If he plays like a robot I will let you know with my easy victory. mMaybe though I am making an emotional statement there or maybe I planned such an opening statement? - the mind games begin... Well done Kuba.

So Friday we did our maths in the park and not in the dark. Groups reported back on the defining language for mathematics:
Axioms
Theorum
Conjecture
Theorum

With Dashaably helping the randomly selected speakers we ended up with the following explanations:

Axiom: (Paula) We need a starting point., basic assumptions for our theorums. By creating assumptions such as Euclids original 5 we can create a hypothesis based upon our observations (sounds like Science's methodology ). Axioms are independent assumptions and give us that starting point.

Theorum: (Boris) Using Axioms and deductive reasoning we can design a proof proposal (a theoretical conclusion - Karl)

Conjecture: (Sergei)When you are not completely sure - right or wrong - a hypothesis that feels to work but so far is not shown to be true.

Proof: (Celine) Theorum shown to be made of relevant axioms. The process of proving is within the proof.

Feel free to add to these and question the language, otherwise a good attempt by tyhe Friday group to clarify.