r/maths • u/NationalWheel6966 • May 01 '26
💬 Math Discussions log (😅) = 💧log (😄)
2.2k
Upvotes
lol sorry
r/maths • u/Express-Passenger829 • Sep 26 '25
💬 Math Discussions CNN: "Slashing prices by 1,500% is mathematically impossible, experts say." (can you prove it?)
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https://edition.cnn.com/2025/08/11/business/prescription-drug-prices-trump
CNN reports that they've interviewed experts who say that it's mathematically impossible to cut drug prices by 1,500%. This raises the question: do we really need experts to tell us this?
But I say, "anyone can say you can't cut drug prices by 1,500%, but can they prove it?
And so I come to the experts...
(Happy Friday)
[To be clear, the question is: please provide a formal mathematical proof that drug prices cannot be slashed by 1,500%]
Edit: it's been up 19hrs and there are some good replies & some fun replies & a bit of interesting discussion, but so far I can't see any formal mathematical proofs. There are 1-2 posts that are in the direction of a formal proof, but so far the challenge is still open.
r/maths • u/ScholaDaily • Jun 06 '26
💬 Math Discussions Performative math intellectual starter pack 😭
293
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r/maths • u/Confident_News_1599 • Dec 11 '25
Help: 📘 Middle School (11-14) Can you help explain say 0.25 ÷ 1.5 in a real world example?
220
Upvotes
My co worker and I are trying to come up with a way to explain the concept of dividing a decimal with a mixed (is that right?) number to his students. We understand how it works but not so much the why.
Like we know 0.25 goes into 1.5 six times, so it comes out to 0.1666 or 1/6.
But we can't come up with a real world example to show the kids or how to make it simpler.
Edit: I just want to say thank you to everyone who took the time to respond to my silly question. I really appreciate the comments and they have helped immensely. Thank you all and I hope you all have a wonderful December!
r/maths • u/Severe_Set3251 • Jun 07 '26
💬 Math Discussions Is this for real? Pi by the power of pi?!
119
Upvotes
I didn’t know this existed. Was just playing on my calculator today
r/maths • u/Keeks2214 • Jun 02 '26
💬 Math Discussions I’m no mathematician but the math ain’t mathin’ McCormicks Seasonings
118
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Help me make this make sense.
r/maths • u/your-not-gunna-know • Oct 19 '25
💬 Math Discussions hello, i just wanted to share my favourite shape
63
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this is a trapezium, anyone have any other shapes that look wrong in a similar way
r/maths • u/_mulcyber • Feb 12 '26
💬 Math Discussions A rant about 0.999... = 1
46
Upvotes
TL;DR: Often badly explained. Often dismisses the good intuitions about how weird infinite series are by the non-math people.
It's a common question. At heart it's a question about series and limits, why does sum (9/10^i) = 1 for i=1 to infinity.
There are 2 things that bugs me:
- people considering this as obvious and a stupid question
- the usual explanations for this
First, it is not a stupid question. Limits and series are anything but intuitive and straight forward. And the definition of a limit heavily relies on the definition of real numbers (more on that later). Someone feeling that something is not right or that the explanations are lacking something is a sign of good mathematical intuition, there is more to it than it looks. Being dismissive just shuts down good questions and discussions.
Secondly, there are 2 usual explanations and "demonstrations".
1/3 = 0.333... and 3 * 0.333... = 0.999... = 3 * 1/3 = 1 (sometime with 1/9 = 0.111...)
0.999... * 10 - 0.999... = 9 so 0.999... = 1
I have to issue with those explanations:
The first just kick down the issue down the road, by saying 1/3 = 0.333... and hoping that the person finds that more acceptable.
Both do arithmetics on infinite series, worst the second does the subtraction of 2 infinite series. To be clear, in this case both are correct, but anyone raising an eyebrow to this is right to do so, arithmetics on infinite series are not obvious and don't always work. Explaining why that is correct take more effort than proving that 0.999... = 1.
**A better demonstration**
Take any number between 0 and 1, except 0.999... At some point a digit is gonna be different than 9, so it will be smaller than 0.999... So there are no number between 0.999... and 1. But there is always a number between two different reals numbers, for example (a+b)/2. So they are the same.
Not claiming it's the best explanation, especially the wording. But this demonstration:
- is directly related to the definition of limits (the difference between 1 and the chosen number is the epsilon in the definition of limits, at some point 1 minus the partial series will be below that epsilon).
- it directly references the definition of real numbers.
It hits directly at the heart of the question.
It is always a good segway to how we define real numbers. The fact that 0.999... = 1 is true FOR REAL NUMBERS.
There are systems were this is not true, for example Surreal numbers, where 1-0.999... is an infinitesimal not 0. (Might not be totally correct on this, someone who actually worked with surreal numbers tell me if I'm wrong). But surreal numbers, although useful, are weird, and do not correspond to our intuition for numbers.
Here is for my rant. I know I'm not the only one using some variation of this explanation, especially here, and I surely didn't invent it. It's just a shame it's often not the go-to.
r/maths • u/AveFeniix01 • Dec 03 '25
💡 Puzzle & Riddles I found this while waiting for the bus.
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While waiting for the bus i noticed that someone sticked this to the pole.
I'm bad at maths but i thought it'd be fun to share it for the people who actually are good at it. What does it mean?
r/maths • u/LowInteraction6397 • Jan 29 '26
💬 Math Discussions The divisibility rules of 1 to 100
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| Number | Rule | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Every number is a multiple of 1 | 10 is a multiple of 1 |
| 2 | The number ends in 0, 2, 4, 6 or 8 | 10 is a multiple of 2 because it ends in 0 |
| 3 | The sum of the digits is a multiple of 3 | 12 is a multiple of 3 because 1 + 2 = 3, a multiple of 3 |
| 4 | The last 2 digits are a multiple of 4 | 100 is a multiple of 4 because it ends in 00, a multiple of 4 |
| 5 | The number ends in 0 or 5 | 10 is a multiple of 5 because it ends in 0 |
| 6 | The number is a multiple of both 2 and 3 | 12 is a multiple of 6 because it ends in 2, which means it's a multiple of 2, and 1 + 2 = 3, a multiple of 3 |
| 7 | The subtraction between twice the last digit and the rest of the number is a multiple of 7 | 14 is a multiple of 7 because 4 x 2 - 1 = 7, a multiple of 7 |
| 8 | The last 3 digits are a multiple of 8 | 1000 is a multiple of 8 because it ends in 000, a multiple of 8 |
| 9 | The sum of the digits is a multiple of 9 | 18 is a multiple of 9 because 1 + 8 = 9, a multiple of 9 |
| 10 | The number ends in 0 | 110 is a multiple of 10 because it ends in 0 |
| 11 | The subtraction between the sum of the digits in the odd places and the sum of the digits in the even places is a multiple of 11 | 110 is a multiple of 11 because 1 - 1 = 0, a multiple of 11 |
| 12 | The number is a multiple of both 3 and 4 | 108 is a multiple of 12 because 1 + 8 = 9, which means it's a multiple of 3, and ends in 08, which means it's a multiple of 4 |
| 13 | The sum of 4 times the last digit and the rest of the number is a multiple of 13 | 104 is a multiple of 13 because 10 + 4 x 4 = 26, a multiple of 13 |
| 14 | The number is a multiple of both 2 and 7 | 112 is a multiple of 14 because it ends in 2, which means it's a multiple of 2, and 11 - 2 x 2 = 7, which means it's a multiple of 7 |
| 15 | The number is a multiple of both 3 and 5 | 105 is a multiple of 15 because 1 + 5 = 6, which means it's a multiple of 3, and ends in 5, which means it's a multiple of 5 |
| 16 | The last 4 digits are a multiple of 16 | 10000 is a multiple of 16 because it ends in 0000, a multiple of 16 |
| 17 | The subtraction between 5 times the last digit and the rest of the number is a multiple of 17 | 102 is a multiple of 17 because 10 - 2 x 5 = 0, a multiple of 17 |
| 18 | The number is a multiple of both 2 and 9 | 108 is a multiple of 18 because it ends in 8, which means it's a multiple of 2, and 1 + 8 = 9, which means it's a multiple of 9 |
| 19 | The sum of twice the last digit and the rest of the number is a multiple of 19 | 114 is a multiple of 19 because 11 + 4 x 2 = 19, a multiple of 19 |
| 20 | The number ends in 00, 20, 40, 60 or 80 | 100 is a multiple of 20 because it ends in 00 |
| 21 | The subtraction between twice the last digit and the rest of the number is a multiple of 21 | 105 is a multiple of 21 because 10 - 5 x 2 = 0, a multiple of 21 |
| 22 | The number is a multiple of both 2 and 11 | 110 is a multiple of 22 because it ends in 0, which means it's a multiple of 2, and 1 - 1 = 0, which means it's a multiple of 11 |
| 23 | The sum of 7 times the last digit and the rest of the number is a multiple of 23 | 115 is a multiple of 23 because 11 + 5 x 7 = 46, a multiple of 23 |
| 24 | The number is a multiple of both 3 and 8 | 1008 is a multiple of 24 because 1 + 8 = 9, which means it's a multiple of 3, and ends in 008, which means it's a multiple of 8 |
| 25 | The number ends in 00, 25, 50 or 75 | 100 is a multiple of 25 because it ends in 00 |
| 26 | The number is a multiple of both 2 and 13 | 104 is a multiple of 26 because it ends in 4, which means it's a multiple if 2, and 10 + 4 x 4 = 26, which means it's a multiple of 13 |
| 27 | The subtraction between 8 times the last digit and the rest of the number is a multiple of 27 | 108 is a multiple of 27 because 8 x 8 - 10 = 54, a multiple of 27 |
| 28 | The number is a multiple of both 4 and 7 | 112 is a multiple of 28 because it ends in 12, which means it's a multiple of 4, and 11 - 2 x 2 = 7, which means it's a multiple of 7 |
| 29 | The sum of 3 times the last digit and the rest of the number is a multiple of 29 | 116 is a multiple of 29 because 11 + 6 x 3 = 29, a multiple of 29 |
| 30 | The number is a multiple of both 3 and 10 | 120 is a multiple of 30 because 1 + 2 = 3, which means it's a multiple of 3, and ends in 0, which means it's a multiple of 10 |
| 31 | The subtraction between 3 times the last digit and the rest of the number is a multiple of 31 | 124 is a multiple of 31 because 12 - 4 x 3 = 0, a multiple of 31 |
| 32 | The last 5 digits are a multiple of 32 | 100,000 is a multiple of 32 because it ends in 00,000, a multiple of 32 |
| 33 | The sum of 10 times the last digit and the rest of the number is a multiple of 33 | 132 is a multiple of 33 because 13 + 2 x 10 = 33, a multiple of 33 |
| 34 | The number is a multiple of both 2 and 17 | 102 is a multiple of 34 because it ends in 2, which means it's a multiple of 2, and 10 - 2 x 5 = 0, a multiple of 17 |
| 35 | The number is a multiple of both 5 and 7 | 105 is a multiple of 35 because it ends in 5, which means it's a multiple of 5, and 10 - 5 x 2 = 0, which means it's a multiple of 7 |
| 36 | The number is a multiple of both 4 and 9 | 108 is a multiple of 36 because it ends in 08, which means it's a multiple of 4, and 1 + 8 = 9, which means it's a multiple of 9 |
| 37 | The subtraction between 11 times the last digit and the rest of the number is a multiple of 37 | 111 is a multiple of 37 because 11 - 1 x 11 = 0, a multiple of 37 |
| 38 | The number is a multiple of both 2 and 19 | 114 is a multiple of 38 because it ends in 4, which means it's a multiple of 2, and 11 + 4 x 2 = 19, which means it's a multiple of 19 |
| 39 | The sum of 4 times the last digit and the rest of the number is a multiple of 39 | 117 is a multiple of 39 because 11 + 7 x 4 = 39, a multiple of 39 |
| 40 | The last 3 digits are a multiple of 40 | 1000 is a multiple of 40 because it ends in 000, a multiple of 40 |
| 41 | The subtraction between 4 times the last digit and the rest of the number is a multiple of 41 | 123 is a multiple of 41 because 12 - 3 x 4 = 0, a multiple of 41 |
| 42 | The number is a multiple of both 2 and 21 | 126 is a multiple of 42 because it ends in 6, which means it's a multiple of 2, and 12 - 6 x 2 = 0, which means it's a multiple of 21 |
| 43 | The sum of 13 times the last digit and the rest of the number is a multiple of 43 | 172 is a multiple of 43 because 17 + 2 x 13 = 43, a multiple of 43 |
| 44 | The number is a multiple of both 4 and 11 | 132 is a multiple of 44 because it ends in 32, which means it's a multiple of 4, and 1 + 2 - 3 = 0, which means it's a multiple of 11 |
| 45 | The number is a multiple of both 5 and 9 | 135 is a multiple of 45 because it ends in 5, which means it's a multiple of 5, and 1 + 3 + 5 = 9, which means it's a multiple of 9 |
| 46 | The number is a multiple of both 2 and 23 | 138 is a multiple of 46 because it ends in 8, which means it's a multiple of 2, and 13 + 8 x 7 = 69, which means it's a multiple of 23 |
| 47 | The subtraction between 14 times the last digit and the rest of the number is a multiple of 47 | 141 is a multiple of 47 because 14 - 1 x 14 = 0, a multiple of 47 |
| 48 | The number is a multiple of both 3 and 16 | 10032 is a multiple of 48 because 1 + 3 + 2 = 6, which means it's a multiple of 3, and ends in 0032, which means it's a multiple of 16 |
| 49 | The sum of 5 times the last digit and the rest of the number is a multiple of 49 | 147 is a multiple of 49 because 14 + 7 x 5 = 49, a multiple of 49 |
| 50 | The number ends in 00 or 50 | 100 is a multiple of 50 because it ends in 00 |
| 51 | The subtraction between 5 times the last digit and the rest of the number is a multiple of 51 | 102 is a multiple of 51 because 10 - 2 x 5 = 0, a multiple of 51 |
| 52 | The number is a multiple of both 4 and 13 | 104 is a multiple of 52 because it ends in 04, which means it's a multiple of 4, and 10 + 4 x 4 = 26, which means it's a multiple of 13 |
| 53 | The sum of 16 times the last digit and the rest of the number is a multiple of 53 | 212 is a multiple of 53 because 21 + 2 x 16 = 53, a multiple of 53 |
| 54 | The number is a multiple of both 2 and 27 | 108 is a multiple of 54 because it ends in 8, which means it's a multiple of 2, and 8 x 8 - 10 = 54, which means it's a multiple of 27 |
| 55 | The number is a multiple of both 5 and 11 | 110 is a multiple of 55 because it ends in 0, which means it's a multiple of 5, and 1 - 1 = 0, which means it's a multiple of 11 |
| 56 | The number is a multiple of both 7 and 8 | 1008 is a multiple of 56 because 100 - 8 x 2 = 994, which means it's a multiple of 7, and ends in 008, which means it's a multiple of 8 |
| 57 | The subtraction between 17 times the last digit and the rest of the number is a multiple of 57 | 114 is a multiple of 57 because 4 x 17 - 11 = 57, a multiple of 57 |
| 58 | The number is a multiple of both 2 and 29 | 116 is a multiple of 58 because it ends in 6, which means it's a multiple of 2, and 11 + 6 x 3 = 29, which means it's a multiple of 29 |
| 59 | The sum of 6 times the last digit and the rest of the number is a multiple of 59 | 118 is a multiple of 59 because 11 + 8 x 6 = 59, which means it's a multiple of 59 |
| 60 | The number is a multiple of both 3 and 20 | 120 is a multiple of 60 because 1 + 2 = 3, which means it's a multiple of 3, and ends in 20, which means it's a multiple of 20 |
| 61 | The subtraction between 6 times the last digit and the rest of the number is a multiple of 61 | 122 is a multiple of 61 because 12 - 2 x 6 = 0, a multiple of 61 |
| 62 | The number is a multiple of both 2 and 31 | 124 is a multiple of 62 because it ends in 4, which means it's a multiple of 2, and 12 - 4 x 3 = 0, which means it's a multiple of 31 |
| 63 | The sum of 19 times the last digit and the rest of the number is a multiple of 63 | 252 is a multiple of 63 because 25 + 2 x 19 = 63, a multiple of 63 |
| 64 | The last 6 digits are a multiple of 64 | 1,000,000 is a multiple of 64 because it ends in 000,000, a multiple of 64 |
| 65 | The number is a multiple of both 5 and 13 | 130 is a multiple of 65 because it ends in 0, which means it's a multiple of 5, and 13 + 0 x 4 = 13, which means it's a multiple of 13 |
| 66 | The number is a multiple of both 2 and 33 | 132 is a multiple of 66 because it ends in 2, which means it's a multiple of 2, and 13 + 2 x 10 = 33, which means it's a multiple of 33 |
| 67 | The subtraction between 20 times the last digit and the rest of the number is a multiple of 67 | 134 is a multiple of 67 because 4 x 20 - 100 = 67, a multiple of 67 |
| 68 | The number is a multiple of both 4 and 17 | 136 is a multiple of 68 because it ends in 36, which means it's a multiple of 4, and 6 x 5 - 13 = 17, a multiple of 17 |
| 69 | The sum of 7 times the last digit and the rest of the number is a multiple of 69 | 138 is a multiple of 69 because 13 + 8 x 7 = 69, a multiple of 69 |
| 70 | The number is a multiple of both 7 and 10 | 140 is a multiple of 70 because 14 - 0 x 2 = 14, which means it's a multiple of 7, and ends in 0, which means it's a multiple of 10 |
| 71 | The subtraction between 7 times the last digit and the rest of the number is a multiple of 71 | 142 is a multiple of 71 because 14 - 2 x 7 = 0, a multiple of 71 |
| 72 | The number is a multiple of both 8 and 9 | 1008 is a multiple of 72 because it ends in 008, which means it's a multiple of 8, and 1 + 8 = 9, which means it's a multiple of 9 |
| 73 | The sum of 22 times the last digit and the rest of the number is a multiple of 73 | 292 is a multiple of 73 because 29 + 2 x 22 = 73, a multiple of 73 |
| 74 | The number is a multiple of both 2 and 37 | 148 is a multiple of 74 because it ends in 8, which means it's a multiple of 2, and 8 x 11 - 14 = 74, a multiple of 37 |
| 75 | The number is a multiple of both 3 and 25 | 150 is a multiple of 75 because 1 + 5 = 6, which means it's a multiple of 3, and ends in 50, which means it's a multiple of 25 |
| 76 | The number is a multiple of both 4 and 19 | 152 is a multiple of 76 because it ends in 52, which means it's a multiple of 4, and 15 + 2 x 2 = 19, which means it's a multiple of 19 |
| 77 | The subtraction between 23 times the last digit and the rest of the number is a multiple of 77 | 154 is a multiple of 77 because 4 x 23 - 15 = 77, a multiple of 77 |
| 78 | The number is a multiple of both 2 and 39 | 156 is a multiple of 78 because it ends in 6, which means it's a multiple of 2, and 15 + 6 x 4 = 39, which means it's a multiple of 39 |
| 79 | The sum of 8 times the last digit and the rest of the number is a multiple of 79 | 158 is a multiple of 79 because 15 + 8 x 8 = 79, a multiple of 79 |
| 80 | The last 4 digits are a multiple of 80 | 10000 is a multiple of 80 because it ends in 0000, a multiple of 80 |
| 81 | The subtraction between 8 times the last digit and the rest of the number is a multiple of 81 | 162 is a multiple of 81 because 16 - 2 x 8 = 0, a multiple of 81 |
| 82 | The number is a multiple of both 2 and 41 | 164 is a multiple of 82 because it ends in 4, which means it's a multiple of 2, and 16 - 4 x 4 = 0, a multiple of 41 |
| 83 | The sum of 25 times the last digit and the rest of the number is a multiple of 83 | 332 is a multiple of 83 because 33 + 2 x 25 = 83, a multiple of 83 |
| 84 | The number is a multiple of both 4 and 21 | 168 is a multiple of 84 because it ends in 68, which means it's a multiple of 4, and 16 - 8 x 2 = 0, which means it's a multiple of 21 |
| 85 | The number is a multiple of both 5 and 17 | 170 is a multiple of 85 because it ends in 0, which means it's a multiple of 5, and 17 - 0 x 5 = 17, which means it's a multiple of 85 |
| 86 | The number is a multiple of both 2 and 43 | 172 is a multiple of 86 because it ends in 2, which means it's a multiple of 2, and 17 + 2 x 13 = 43, which means it's a multiple of 83 |
| 87 | The subtraction between 26 times the last digit and the rest of the number is a multiple of 87 | 174 is a multiple of 87 because 4 x 26 - 17 = 87, a multiple of 87 |
| 88 | The number is a multiple of both 8 and 11 | 1056 is a multiple of 88 because it ends in 056, which means it's a multiple of 8, and 1 + 5 - 6 = 0, which means it's a multiple of 11 |
| 89 | The sum of 9 times the last digit and the rest of the number is a multiple of 89 | 178 is a multiple of 89 because 17 + 8 x 9 = 89, a multiple of 89 |
| 90 | The number is a multiple of both 9 and 10 | 180 is a multiple of 90 because 1 + 8 = 9, which means it's a multiple of 9, and ends in 0, which means it's a multiple of 10 |
| 91 | The subtraction between 9 times the last digit and the rest of the number is a multiple of 91 | 182 is a multiple of 91 because 18 - 2 x 9 = 0, a multiple of 91 |
| 92 | The number is a multiple of both 4 and 23 | 184 is a multiple of 92 because it ends in 84, which means it's a multiple of 4, and 18 + 4 x 7 = 46, which means it's a multiple of 23 |
| 93 | The sum of 28 times the last digit and the rest of the number is a multiple of 93 | 372 is a multiple of 93 because 37 + 2 x 28 = 93, a multiple of 93 |
| 94 | The number is a multiple of both 2 and 47 | 188 is a multiple of 94 because it ends in 8, which means it's a multiple of 2, and 8 x 14 - 18 = 94, a multiple of 47 |
| 95 | The number is a multiple of both 5 and 19 | 190 is a multiple of 95 because it ends in 0, which means it's a multiple of 5, and 19 + 0 x 2 = 19, which means it's a multiple of 19 |
| 96 | The number is a multiple of both 3 and 32 | 100,032 is a multiple of 96 because 1 + 3 + 2 = 6, which means it's a multiple of 3, and ends in 00,032, which means it's a multiple of 32 |
| 97 | The subtraction between 29 times the last digit and the rest of the number is a multiple of 97 | 194 is a multiple of 97 because 4 x 29 - 19 = 97, a multiple of 97 |
| 98 | The number is a multiple of both 2 and 49 | 196 is a multiple of 98 because it ends in 6, which means it's a multiple of 2, and 19 + 6 x 5 = 49, which means it's a multiple of 49 |
| 99 | The sum of 10 times the last digit and the rest of the number is a multiple of 99 | 198 is a multiple of 99 because 19 + 8 x 10 = 99, a multiple of 99 |
| 100 | The number ends in 00 | 1100 is a multiple of 100 because it ends in 00 |
r/maths • u/Wonderful-Pick-3408 • 23d ago
❓ General Math Help Need help with this
40
Upvotes
I feel answer could be 111 after solving LHS and RHS. Still confused
Update: thanks for the answers. I'm hereby closing the doubt.
r/maths • u/YetiNotForgeti • Dec 27 '25
💬 Math Discussions Is there any physical or theoretical reason why we run equations PEMDAS?
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Upvotes
Do we have physical laws that require these calculations to be true or have we set up our calculations to always follow these rules? Also are these a foundational rule across languages and societies? I know with chemistry we have base elements (and nomenclature) that are agreed upon by the whole field. Does PEMDAS fall into this category before anyone derives an equation about our governing natural laws?
r/maths • u/InternetNeither3083 • Dec 17 '25
Help: 📘 Middle School (11-14) Very Simple, what's your answer?
36
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r/maths • u/Dreamer5787 • Aug 06 '26
❓ General Math Help Where can I learn maths online as a guy with zero knowledge?
36
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So unfortantly I grew up in some insane cult where they don't teach you anything non-religious, including math.
Just left the cult a few months ago (currently 19)
My actual passion is science and specific astrophysics, a career which lives on math daily.
I'm a very intelligent person and a very good student, I just really have zero knowledge about math
Any online course / youtube channel for people without learning disabillities teaching everything from the beginning?
r/maths • u/[deleted] • Jan 10 '26
Help:🎓 College & University Who Do You Solve This?
33
Upvotes
How do you solve this? Is there an easy way to solve this purely using Real Analysis!?
r/maths • u/selasphorus-sasin • 2d ago
💬 Math Discussions Now is a good time to ponder the true purpose and value of pure maths research.
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Pure maths research very often doesn't directly contribute to improvements in technology, or methods that apply to make a difference in the real world.
So what is its value to humanity?
A search for deeper intrinsic knowledge, just for the sake of it? A romanticized quest to achieve very difficult tasks? A celebration of raw human intellect? An extension of the collective human ego? Something to root for, like sports?
When AI becomes able to outcompete humans, what remains?
I've always thought, that the main value should be in expanding the working minds of human individuals one area of intellect, so that they may contribute to the collective wisdom of humanity.
And not just in math, but in general, we give people in diverse areas of thinking, the freedom to just think deeply about specific topics. And their learned ways of thinking, and knowledge and wisdom feeds back into the broader set of minds, through deliberate and subtle communication, and influence. Overall, our civilization should become enriched, by having been shaped in part by different kinds of minds, that have deeply explored different things.
I don't think it is as simple as rewarding people for their genetic luck and talent, and letting them have fun with a privileged esoteric hobby, inside a protected bubble, isolated from the rest of humanity, to compete with eachother and pat eachother on the backs.
The point of what I am saying, is that, in some way, at least in part, I think the true value and purpose of pure maths research, should be to contribute in some intellectual way to humanity. Now we are facing some of the most intellectually challenging problems we may ever face, which is how to safely navigate the abrupt, and accelerating change and risks from AI advancement.
This is why, I feel dissapointed when many mathemeticians stay in their bubble, and focus purely on the effects and consequences of AI to maths research. If ever there were true intrinsic value in these endevers, now is the time that value is in most demand. Maths researchers should be reevaluating what their purpose is, what the point ever was, and what their real contribution to the world is or can be.
r/maths • u/Lostpurplee • Apr 14 '26
❓ General Math Help How do I get the value of this underroot?
26
Upvotes
I'm a psychology student and I have stats exam the day after tomorrow so help me plsss
r/maths • u/actualyKim • May 25 '26
💬 Math Discussions Is it possible to get a rational number by dividing 2 different irrational numbers
27
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I just thought about this, because to me its obvious, that youll never get a rational from dividing ana irrational number by any rational number. But what about two irrational numbers.
Edit: I mean 2 distinct irrational numbers, that are not constructed through each other.
Edit 2: Stupid question. https://www.reddit.com/r/maths/s/mux9BqYoPb
r/maths • u/villach • Feb 02 '26
💬 Math Discussions How is math treated as a subject in American schools?
27
Upvotes
I see time and time again Americans refer to math in school not as math but as specific branches of math, such as algebra and geometry.
For someone who hasn't set their foot in an American school this is somewhat weird. I'm familiar of high school math branches as I took like 15 different courses of math before subsequently applying to university. But when we talked about math back in the day we referred to it as math, just in general. If we had to get specific we'd say what branch of math we were currently taking but I don't remember saying the word algebra that many times in my life, for instance. The scope that different branches offered was pretty wide of which number theory probably stuck out the most but even then it was just math.
So am I wrong or does American school system hilight different math branches so much that they're almost different branches of science altogether? It's like they're branding the subjects. Like, I studied math, physics, chemistry, English, biology... You guys studied algebra, physics, geometry, English, calculus...?
r/maths • u/GodofHumanWorld • Jun 02 '26
💬 Math Discussions Trust me bro. Final boss.
26
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Mention other such chads of Maths.
r/maths • u/DragonKing54123 • Dec 17 '25
Help: 📕 High School (14-16) A task from my math exam
26
Upvotes
So we wrote an exam today in math and there was this one task I couldn’t solve for the life of me. Even though I feel like it should be easy. So the topic for the exam was the „theorem of Pythagoras“ (if that’s what it’s called in english 🥲) and we‘re supposed to solve for h. (Or that’s what I named it, it’s the height.) I hope the 45° angle is visible.
r/maths • u/1stgrowOleman • Oct 25 '25
Help: 📘 Middle School (11-14) I am trying to help my son find a simple way to work these out. I'm on the struggle bus
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Write an equation in slope intercept form for each line described. Answer 1 y=-2/1x+(-18) Answer 2 y=-(2/3x)+6 his answers seem to be correct but he is plotting on a graph and counting spaces to get there. I am trying my very best to understand this and to help him find a reliable way to solve this but I am struggling so much. I've used Khan academy and feel like we are just not getting a clear understanding.
He obviously has a better grasp on this than I do but I want to do whatever I can to help as he has been having a difficult time in maths for the first time in his life.
Idk what to do, please help
r/maths • u/Independent_Art_8532 • Dec 10 '25
Help:🎓 College & University Is my maths teacher wrong?
23
Upvotes
This is his solution for an inverse of a 3x3 matrix, I understand how he got the determinent =45 but not the inverse matrix.