Mathemagical 2014 - An Indian Perspective

TL;DR

This paper explores the dual nature of mathematics as both art and science, highlighting Indian mathematicians' contributions and pondering why natural laws are inherently mathematical.

Contribution

It provides an Indian perspective on mathematics, emphasizing historical contributions and philosophical questions about the nature of mathematical laws.

Findings

Indian mathematicians have made seminal contributions to mathematics.

Mathematics is both an art and a science, with unique philosophical implications.

The paper discusses the intrinsic connection between natural laws and mathematics.

Abstract

Mathematics is probably the only subject that can be classified both as art as well as science - former, because it is not constrained by the real world and latter because it is a logical system with precisely defined rules as well as primitives that lead to unambiguous nontrivial theorems. Indian (and of Indian origin) mathematicians have continued to do seminal work till present times, culminating in Manjul Bhargava receiving the Fields Medal last year. In such fabulous times, a non-mathematician ponders about the nature of mathematics, and revisits the question: why are fundamental laws of Nature inherently mathematical?