Paging all math geeks!

[ambitious_wench]

OK, I can admit to abysmal ignorance in certain scientific areas. Yes, mathematics is one of them. I can balance a checkbook (but to be honest, I don't keep a checkbook register, much less balance it). I've heard my mathematic geek friends extoll the beauty of mathematics, and I just nod and smile.

I suppose I can appreciate the wonder I see in my maths geek friends; It's easy to imagine eyes lighting up with wonder and delight over something as baffling and mysterious as this:

Proof that 1 + 1 = 2

And while it may as well be Summerian Cuniform to me, there is a certain beauty to it, even if I feel no need for proof of this sort, and doubt that I will ever be able to "read" it.

So enjoy, all you maths geeks. Tell me how beautiful it is to you.

Comments

[docjeff.livejournal.com]

Um, wow.

*runs back to the comfort of words and ideas*

[lederhosen.livejournal.com]

My answer to that is kind of long, so I've posted it here.

[mr-figgy.livejournal.com]

I'm sure one day you'll stare at it for long enough that everything will suddenly make sense. The universe will shine incredible sunbeans upon your mind, and then you'll read the bottom of the box of allergy meds and see those fateful words, "EXP. 11/10/96"

Well, maybe not. It was worth a try.

[michiexile]

No, that page isn't necessarily beautiful. It is however important. To a certain extent, I'd refer to lederhosen for that explanation.

There are many items of sublime beauty in mathematics. For me, it tends to be the elegance of structures and the ubiquity of phenomena that catches the eye.

In the same genre as this, though, there is the entirely constructive proof that you can divide by 3 from Conway et.al.