Its a longstanding philosophical question with compelling arguments on both sides.
Mathematics as discovered:
Platonic view:
This perspective, rooted in Platonism, holds that mathematical truths exist independently of human thought and that mathematicians discover these truths. According to this view, mathematical concepts and structures are part of a timeless, objective reality.
Universality:
Many mathematical principles appear to be universal, applying consistently across different cultures and contexts, suggesting they are discovered rather than created. Universal Grammar
Mathematics as Invented:
Human Construct:
This viewpoint argues that mathematics is a creation of the human mind, a language we invented to describe and make sense of the world. Mathematical concepts are seen as constructs that we develop to solve problems and communicate ideas. Imagined Orders
Diverse Systems:
The existence of various mathematical systems(e.g., Euclidean vs non-Euclidean geometry) suggests that mathematics can be invented, as different systems are devised to address different kinds of problems.
Many mathematicians and philosophers adopt a middle ground, suggesting that while the structures and relations that mathematics describes might be discovered, the language, notation and specific systems we use to describe them are human inventions.
P.S: This is generated using ChatGPT. todo
Math is a language. Learning math makes it possible to do things that are otherwise unimaginable - like building artificial intelligence, descending to the depths of the ocean, or ascending to other planets.