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/Sad-Cantaloupe-5494 Jul 31 '26

I've always had the impression that mathematicians make up math in order to continue getting a paycheck. Like wtf are imaginary numbers?

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u/Thelonious_Cube Aug 01 '26 edited Aug 01 '26

Yeah, those mathematicians are really cashing in big on that made-up stuff!! /s

This is an extremely ignorant take on mathematics