Where do Math Concepts Come From?

About this episode

Joseph Bennish explores the origins of mathematical concepts and their evolution into complex theories.

Joseph Bennish discusses math as a "concept factory." The concept of prime numbers came from a desire to break numbers down to their simplest atoms. This simple concept led to simple questions like the twin prime conjecture that no one has been able to answer. Those questions in turn led to deep research. The concepts of new geometries grew out of failed attempts to prove that Euclid's geometry was the only geometry. Gauss' "most wonderful theorem" of surfaces led to Riemann's higher dimensional manifolds. This, combined with Minkowski's space-time geometry, led to Einstein's relativity, "the most beautiful theory of physics."

People in this episode

Host: Carol Jacoby

Guest: Joseph Bennish

Topics covered

• mathematics
• prime numbers
• geometry
• theories of physics
• research
• concept development

Keywords

• prime numbers
• twin prime conjecture
• Euclid
• Gauss
• Riemann
• Minkowski
• Einstein
• geometry
• theory of physics

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