How Writing Changes Mathematical Thought
Introduction
It’s natural to think of math as being fundamentally abstract. Whether it’s invented or discovered, its truths are so literally universal that even aliens would agree (so the thinking goes) that 2 and 2 make 4.
The actual work of mathematics, though, typically involves something utterly earthbound: “making marks on paper or blackboards,” said D...
The article emphasizes the importance of mathematical notation in making abstract concepts more understandable. It suggests that the use of symbols and variables has allowed complex mathematical ideas to be communicated effectively, and that this has been facilitated by technological advancements such as computers.
However, the article also acknowledges that there is a gap between elite mathematical discourse and the mathematical knowledge used in everyday life, such as budgeting or dealing with...