Is math useful?

TL;DR

This paper explores the multifaceted usefulness of mathematics in society, education, and culture, questioning its true value and role beyond trivial applications.

Contribution

It critically examines the societal and educational importance of math, encouraging reflection on its cultural significance and the meaning of being useful.

Findings

Math is deeply intertwined with daily life and culture.

The usefulness of math varies across different societal roles.

Questions about math's role stimulate cultural and educational reflection.

Abstract

"Is math useful?" might sound as a trick question. And it is. Of course math is useful, we live in a data-filled world and every aspect of life is totally entwined with math applications, both trivial and subtle applications, of both basic and advanced math. But we need to ask once again that question, in order to truly understand what is math useful for and what being useful means. Moreover, is it knowledge of math useful for a class of specialists, or for political leaders or for all people at large? Being more on a concrete level, why does math need to have a central role in education? Each section will be titled by a question. And each section will not give an answer, but -- at least I hope -- provide some food for tought to the reader, in order to try to come up with his or her own answers. I feel that these kind of questions are at home in a book devoted to the interplays between mathematics and culture: what is the space we should give to math in culture and what is math's role in becoming a complete citizen?