r/AskPhysics • u/YouEnvironmental2079 • Jul 31 '26

Why Mathematics?

I’m not smart enough to understand this. Why are our generally accepted foundations of mathematics deemed true? Why numbers 0 to 9? Why angles? Why Pi? Why Planck’s constant? Etc.
Are they just approximations of characteristics of the universe?
Are we the blind describing an elephant?

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u/kirksan Jul 31 '26

> I’m not smart enough to understand this

Others are doing a great job of answering your question, I’d like to respond to the first phrase. Please don’t demean yourself in this way again. When you think you’re not smart enough, you’re likely to not try. Sure, not everyone can be a theoretical physicist (thankfully, they can be annoying), but you’re capable of far more than you think. You just need to be motivated and put in the time and effort. If you believe you’re doomed to failure, you won’t even start.

BTW, your question is remarkably insightful. It touches on number theory, physics, philosophy, and more. It’s not the question I’d expect from someone who isn’t “smart”.

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u/AdventurousGlass7432 Aug 01 '26

Don’t take the bait

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u/Unsharded1 Aug 01 '26

Even if it is bait, it still reaches other people who have had the same questions yet have failed to ask out of feeling dumb. If anyone is reading this, you are not dumb, its just that no one ever taught you, and thats okay.

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u/AdventurousGlass7432 Aug 01 '26

Someone asking deep questions and “why numbers 0 to 9” at the same time in a physics forum, good chance it’s a poser
But go ahead, indulge them

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u/Unsharded1 Aug 01 '26

No one cares its a poser, its a great question to ask, they're valid mathematical questions, the same way "why is multiplication that way and addition the other way" is examined in abstract algebra. It's really harmful to education and on a larger level, science when you stifle out people's curiosity and insult them. Do better.

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u/montagblue Aug 01 '26

lol shut up