This is a fundamental idea that guarantees the internal consistency of mathematical systems. Many branches of mathematics including algebra and geometry use reflexivity. For example, in algebra, x = x is always true. Similarly, reflexivity is used in geometry to prove equality, as in the case of Angle A = Angle A, to make sure that the reasoning of the comparison between geometric objects is logically consistent.
Should we name scientific discoveries after people?
We are surrounded by people’s names, celebrations of their lifelong contributions to the world of science and maths. Euler’s formula, Fermat’s last theorem, and the Higgs boson are all examples of key discoveries after the people who discovered them. But should the scientific community continue to do so?
Bedtime stories: The Classical world in twentieth century children’s literature
Children’s literature as a genre is unique in that it is one of few whose audience defines it. Within the genre we find examples of fantasy, science fiction, and historical fiction, but all fall under a single umbrella, united by the age of its readers. This complicates defining the genre, made even more complex by the fact that children are a moving target; they are not destined to remain children forever. As a result, children’s literature is one that can never be static; a new generation is constantly growing into it as another grows too old for it. As a result, the genre itself must adapt just as quickly to account for its changing demographic.
Arrow’s Impossibility Theorem
If I told you that a fair democracy didn’t exist, what would you think? 96 of the world’s countries consider themselves a ‘democracy’, a voting system based on equality, where everyone has their say. In 1950, Kenneth Arrow published ‘Arrow’s Impossibility Theorem’, based on the controversial statement, ‘There is no such thing as a fair voting system’. So what is ‘Arrows Impossibility Theorem’ and why is it mathematically impossible to have a ‘fair’ democracy?
The Climate Crisis
We are currently facing the biggest crisis in the entirety of human history. It’s called global warming, and on Monday 11 November, last Monday, the warming rose to 1.54 degrees Celsius.