Mathematician
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A Mathematician is a researcher that researches mathematical hypothesiss and develops mathematical systems (that support mathematical problem solving and mathematical theory development).
- AKA: Math Researcher, Mathematical Scientist.
- Context:
- It can develop Mathematical Theory through mathematical research and logical reasoning.
- It can solve Mathematical Problems through mathematical analysis and mathematical methods.
- It can create Mathematical Proofs through formal logic and mathematical notation.
- It can discover Mathematical Patterns through mathematical investigation.
- It can formulate Mathematical Models through mathematical abstraction.
- ...
- It can often collaborate with mathematical community through mathematical publications.
- It can often teach mathematical concepts through mathematical education.
- It can often apply mathematical knowledge to practical problems.
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- It can range from being a Theoretical Mathematician to being an Applied Mathematician, depending on its research focus.
- They can be a Statistician focusing on statistical analysis.
- ...
- It can contribute to mathematical fields through mathematical research.
- It can advance mathematical knowledge through mathematical discovery.
- It can validate mathematical results through peer review.
- ...
- Example(s):
- Ancient Mathematicians, such as:
- Renaissance Mathematicians, such as:
- Classical Mathematicians, such as:
- Isaac Newton (1642-1727) for calculus and physics.
- Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646-1716) for mathematical logic.
- Daniel Bernoulli (1700-1782) for fluid dynamics.
- Euler (1707-1783) for mathematical analysis.
- Adrien-Marie Legendre (1752-1833) for elliptic functions.
- Carl Friedrich Gauss (1777-1855) for number theory.
- Bernhard Riemann (1826-1866) for differential geometry.
- Modern Mathematicians, such as:
- Srinivasa Ramanujan (1887-1920) for infinite series.
- John von Neumann (1903-1957) for computer theory.
- Andrey Nikolaevich Kolmogorov (1903-1987) for probability theory.
- Kurt Gödel (1906-1978) for incompleteness theorems.
- Alan Turing (1912-1954) for computability theory.
- Maryam Mirzakhani for dynamic systems.
- ...
- Counter-Example(s):
- A Philosopher, which focuses on philosophical inquiry rather than mathematical proofs.
- A Political Scientist, which studies political systems rather than mathematical systems.
- An Economist, which analyzes economic systems rather than pure mathematical theory.
- A Computer Scientist, which focuses on computational systems rather than abstract mathematics.
- A Theoretical Scientist, which develops physical theory rather than mathematical theory.
- See: Mathematics Discipline, Mathematical Research, Mathematical Theory, Mathematical Education.
References
2008
- US, Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2008). Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition
- http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos043.htm
- Mathematics is one of the oldest and most fundamental sciences. Mathematicians use mathematical theory, computational techniques, algorithms, and the latest computer technology to solve economic, scientific, engineering, physics, and business problems. The work of mathematicians falls into two broad classes — theoretical (pure) mathematics and applied mathematics. These classes, however, are not sharply defined and often overlap.
- Theoretical mathematicians advance mathematical knowledge by developing new principles and recognizing previously unknown relationships between existing principles of mathematics. Although these workers seek to increase basic knowledge without necessarily considering its practical use, such pure and abstract knowledge has been instrumental in producing or furthering many scientific and engineering achievements. Many theoretical mathematicians are employed as university faculty, dividing their time between teaching and conducting research. (See the statement on teachers — postsecondary elsewhere in the Handbook.)
- Applied mathematicians, on the other hand, use theories and techniques, such as mathematical modeling and computational methods, to formulate and solve practical problems in business, government, engineering, and the physical, life, and social sciences. For example, they may analyze the most efficient way to schedule airline routes between cities, the effects and safety of new drugs, the aerodynamic characteristics of an experimental automobile, or the cost-effectiveness of alternative manufacturing processes.
References
2008
- US, Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2008). Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition
- http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos043.htm
- Mathematics is one of the oldest and most fundamental sciences. Mathematicians use mathematical theory, computational techniques, algorithms, and the latest computer technology to solve economic, scientific, engineering, physics, and business problems. The work of mathematicians falls into two broad classes — theoretical (pure) mathematics and applied mathematics. These classes, however, are not sharply defined and often overlap.
- Theoretical mathematicians advance mathematical knowledge by developing new principles and recognizing previously unknown relationships between existing principles of mathematics. Although these workers seek to increase basic knowledge without necessarily considering its practical use, such pure and abstract knowledge has been instrumental in producing or furthering many scientific and engineering achievements. Many theoretical mathematicians are employed as university faculty, dividing their time between teaching and conducting research. (See the statement on teachers — postsecondary elsewhere in the Handbook.)
- Applied mathematicians, on the other hand, use theories and techniques, such as mathematical modeling and computational methods, to formulate and solve practical problems in business, government, engineering, and the physical, life, and social sciences. For example, they may analyze the most efficient way to schedule airline routes between cities, the effects and safety of new drugs, the aerodynamic characteristics of an experimental automobile, or the cost-effectiveness of alternative manufacturing processes.