It’s an amazing collection of interlocking tools for describing and handling the fabric of life, but there’s something you ought to know . . .
Why do 2 and 2 make 4? And what on earth are fractals for?
How are conic sections turned into quadratics?
Where do logs and roots and sines fit into Nature’s grand designs?
All these questions are the stuff of mathematics.
At the heart of mathematics are cerebral acrobatics:
You can calculate what ‘x’ is with some ease;
But for existential fun, the square root of minus one
Is for intellectual poseurs with degrees.
Mathematicians have affinity with the concept of infinity,
Which the rest of us consider a deceit;
Yet there’s something quite hypnotic in a curve that’s asymptotic
To a line that it will never, ever meet.
Raw statistics, charts and graphs may not be a load of laughs,
But can help you track your finances and shares,
And outwit the local rookies who bet money at the bookie’s –
Get the winnings coming your way, ’stead of theirs!
Are you needing some persuasion to resolve a tough equation?
Is the calculus inducing signs of slumber?
Try your hand at exponentials, which describe life’s growth potentials,
Or contemplate the famous Golden Number.
If your teacher’s stiff and starchy, you could mention Fibonacci
And his number sequence – that’ll make her grin!
Ask her, innocently, “Why’re all seed head patterns doubly spiral?” –
It’s a great side-tracking ploy that’s sure to win.
Mathematics stands aloof, upon a pyramid of proofs.
There’s a problem, though, which cannot be removed:
The point to comprehend is that its theorems all depend
Upon axioms – but axioms can’t be proved . . .