Re: Programming is the Engineering Discipline of the Science that is Mathematics

"Marshall" <marshall.spight_at_gmail.com> wrote in message news:1149710928.885317.97120_at_h76g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...

So you say that math is an invention ?

> I agree that there are many things that are well-described by
> mathematics in the natural world. I disagree that there are
> mathematical objects directly present in the real world.

> I might have a basket with 3 oranges, but I can never
> have a basket with just 3 in it.

Yes. You also have that basket. :-)
I can move 3 around by moving you for example. 3 is as natural as you are. :-)

> I might be able to accurately predict the volume of a
> soccer ball using equations about spheres, but I'll
> never directly see a sphere in the real world;
> a sphere is made up of points, and the real world
> has no points in it. At least, not with the instruments
> I've used to go looking for them.

Then you have not used your head, I suppose ... :-)

> I rather think 3 has more in common with unicorns than
> with horses. (This is of course a metaphoric statement
> rather than a literal one.) But I find 3 to be ... useful
> nonetheless.

Well, horses might not be that different from unicorns after all ... Different carrying device.

> Marshall

> PS. 5 is right out.

What is with this 1,3,5,7 ?
You skipped 2 ? Received on Thu Jun 08 2006 - 02:19:46 CDT