july 2009why do mathematics?1 why do mathematics? school of mathematics and statistics

July 2009 WHY DO MATHEMATICS? 1

Why do Mathematics?SCHOOL OF MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS

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WY ISWY ISMATHEMATICS MATHEMATICS IMPORTANT?IMPORTANT?

Mathematics is the language

of physical sciences, economics and finance.

Statistics pervades all sciences and commerce.

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Why is Mathematics Important?

All the great civilizations of the past rose because of Mathematics.Every great scientific discovery was preceded by a corresponding breakthrough in Mathematics – look up the history of Einstein’s theory of relativity, the Lorentz Transformation and Minokowski’s unified space-time model.

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Many discoveries in Physics were predicted by Mathematics before they were observed experimentally.

Mathematics is Mathematics is Fascinating!!Fascinating!!

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Radio Waves, Big Bang Theory, General Theory of Relativity, Planck’s quanta, Black Holes, Antimatter, Quarks,…

Ref: Mathematics as a Sixth Sense, Stephane Durand

http://www.math.ecnu.edu.cn/earcome3/poster/EARCOME3_Durand_Stephane_Poster.doc

ExamplesExamples

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CAREERS INCAREERS INMATHEMATICS AND MATHEMATICS AND

STATISTICSSTATISTICS

All quantitative disciplines need Mathematics!

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Skill shortage is not in taxi drivers, managers, real estate agents, parcel deliverers, bakers, bank tellers, check out personnel,….IT IS IN PEOPLE WITH TECHNICAL SKILLS! AND THESE CAREERS NEED MATHEMATICS!

Skill Shortage!!Skill Shortage!!

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Salaries – March 2010 DataSalaries – March 2010 DataTop 10Top 10

How many of these need Mathematics?Source: http://content.mycareer.com.au/salary-centre/?ads=0&s_cid=215859

Sector Average Min Average Max Average

Average Australian Salary$90,470

Mining, Oil & Gas $70,625 $229,375 $138,005Construction, Building & Architecture $47,375 $214,412 $123,339Executive $59,302 $255,199 $123,007Engineering $47,023 $197,455 $117,017IT & Telecommunications $45,146 $189,305 $97,571Marketing $41,524 $164,091 $86,231Scientific $40,300 $140,500 $85,302Human Resources & Recruitment $40,879 $183,533 $84,952Banking & Financial Services $43,351 $180,118 $84,506Sales $37,125 $167,500 $81,793

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Mathematics and Statistics Mathematics and Statistics are needed in:are needed in:

• Physical sciences: physics, physical chemistry, bio-physics, engineering (all varieties), geo-physics (geo-statistics), biomechanics, computing science, Software Engineers, Database Managers, ….

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• Business: economics, finance, actuarial studies, management.Financial Analyst, Risk Analyst, Insurance, Investment Banking, Economics and Commerce, Software Engineers, Database Managers, ….

Mathematics and Statistics Mathematics and Statistics are needed in:are needed in:

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• Biological sciences: bio-statistics, bio-informatics, bio-metrics, psychological measurement, medical statistics, medical imaging, medical engineering, exercise science, bio-mechanics, ecology

social statistics.

AndAnd

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• Some career paths need mathematics and or statistics (engineering, physics).

• Others (such as financial or biological) are enhanced by selected knowledge in mathematics and particularly statistics.

• Someone with high level training in M&S has all quantitative careers open to them.

Mathematics and StatisticsMathematics and Statistics

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Technical skills are enhanced with higher level of Mathematics and Statistics. We in Australia are lagging behind the world, whereas we can be world leaders in science and technology!!

Do More Mathematics!!Do More Mathematics!!

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We all use the telephone, television, internet, transport, fridges, computer games, satellites for communications and weather forecasting, computers, electricity, transport (cars, planes,), mobile devices,….

NONE OF THESE WOULD BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT MATHEMATICS!!

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Applications of Mathematics

The following posters illustrate the vast application of Mathematics in everyday life.

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WeatherWeather

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Global WarmingGlobal Warming

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AerodynamicsAerodynamics

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Gene ResearchGene Research

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Coding and SecurityCoding and Security

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TsunamisTsunamis

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HurricanesHurricanes

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Blockages

Why don’t more people do Mathematics?

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Mathematics is hard!Yes it is! But it is also very rewarding, and is no more harder than learning to skate or tennis! It takes time to understand new ideas and concepts. In any endeavour you need to do something hard to excel!

BlockagesBlockages

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You need to be bright to do Mathematics.No! You need not be very bright. But Mathematics makes your brighter. And it will improve your skills and understanding of other related subjects.

BlockagesBlockages

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I don’t need a lot of Mathematics for science!Wrong! A higher level of Mathematical skill will make you a better Scientist and Engineer. Great discoveries and higher level performance in physics and engineering innovation requires high level Mathematics.

BlockagesBlockages

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Rewards of doing Mathematics

• Problem solving skills that will help you in every aspect of your life.

• Good organisational skills.

• Logical, clearer thinking.

• A very interesting, satisfying life full of challenges and achievements!

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Rewards of doing Mathematics

USE YOUR SKILL AND

TALENT TO SOLVE THE

PROBLEMS OF THE

WORLD!!

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1. https://www.maths.uwa.edu.au2. http://www.austms.org.au/Jobs/Job_listings.html

3. http://www.statsci.org/index.html4. http://www.newton.cam.ac.uk/wmy2kposters/

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