By: Isabelle Kim.
Economics plays a big role in the global order – it is the study of how societies allocate scarce resources and make decisions. Math serves as a language and baseline for economic theories and ideas to expand on, and to understand how our society operates. For example, economic modeling uses mathematical functions to model complex relationships in the world, including how supply and demand influence a business’s total revenue. Without math, instead of having formulas, economics would rely entirely on philosophy and use qualitative observation to explain business decisions and trends in the business industry.
In architecture and engineering, calculus, geometry, and trigonometry ensure that buildings are stable. Math also ensures that buildings are aesthetically pleasing. For example, the Golden Ratio is used to make sure that the dimensions and layout look beautiful. If architects were to create buildings without considering mathematics, neighborhoods would look much different today. To properly translate creative design into real life, professionals calculate loads and use angles and dimensions. If this step were to be skipped by engineers, buildings are likely to topple over, which increases the mortality rate.
In medicine, math allows for safe treatments and accurate diagnoses. Clinicians use ratios and algebra to scale medication doses that differentiates from client to client. Medical imaging, such as MRIs, also require extensive math, which allows doctors to understand what issues the patient is facing properly. Arithmetic is used by doctors and nurses to calculate fluid balances, helping them to prevent life-threatening complications. Without mathematics in this field, patients would be given the wrong treatments and diagnoses.
Just like the previous subjects, there are many ways math applies to environmental science. Differential equations and calculus are the building blocks and base of climate modeling. Scientists use these equations to simulate ocean dynamics, atmospheric physics, and chemistry to track pressure and greenhouse gas concentrations. With these skills, environmental scientists can predict future sea-level rise and extreme weather patterns. To understand the impact of pollution and monitor its levels, scientists heavily rely on statistical analysis. Thus, they are properly able to calculate important information, such as the risks of pollution exposure in some areas.
Overall, without math, modern life would be much more difficult; not to mention how dangerous it would be. By learning mathematics, students develop problem solving and critical thinking skills, along with knowledge of complex formulas important for their future career. In the future, the younger generation will be the ones keeping our society alive, so despite math class feeling boring to some, its real-world impacts highlight the vitality of learning this subject.
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