Academician Wu Wenjun of the Institute of Mathematics of China Academy of Sciences has realized the proof of mathematical theorems and the computer solution of nonlinear equations through years of painstaking research, which has completely changed the face of the field of mathematical mechanization and opened up a new road for the development of mathematics in the information age. It is precisely because this research achievement has reached the world leading level that Academician Wu won the first national highest science and technology award in China in 2000.
Introducing mathematics into economics has brought infinite inspiration to the development of economics. Nash equilibrium and option pricing formula are realized by establishing mathematical models, using mathematical methods and using mathematical language. One of the cores of modern financial theory is quantitative analysis. Only by using quantitative means to analyze and deal with problems can we make correct financial decisions. Obviously, quantitative means is actually the application of mathematical tools. For example, in 2003, the Nobel Prize in Economics was awarded to Robert Engel, an American scientist, and clive granger, a British scientist, in recognition of their achievements in using mathematical tools to analyze financial problems. Collins 1995, vice president of Citibank, pointed out in a speech at Newton Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Cambridge University, England: "70% of Citibank's business depends on mathematics. Without the tools and technologies developed by mathematics, we can't do many things at all, and we can't survive without mathematics. " It can be seen that the financial building is also inseparable from the support of mathematics!
In the field of modern medicine, CT is a routine examination, but its theoretical basis comes from Laton transform in mathematics. 19 17 Mathematician Raton introduced a transformation (Raton transformation) in the study of integral geometry. Decades later, Colemark and Hansfield skillfully designed the X-ray tomography scanner-CT by using Raton transform, which made great contributions to medical diagnosis technology. They won the 1979 Nobel Prize in Medicine.
Some students think that learning mathematics is useless except for coping with exams and intellectual development. They only use some simple arithmetic knowledge in their lives and don't need any advanced mathematics at all. This view is extremely one-sided. In fact, the highest goal of school mathematics education is to refine the ideas, viewpoints and methods in mathematics knowledge and use them to analyze, solve, study and explore problems in future study and work. Although the knowledge of mathematics seems to be gradually forgotten after people enter the society, the mathematical thoughts, spirits and even ways of thinking engraved in people's minds will last forever and will play an important role in people's work, study and life for a long time.
It is said that the famous American Military Academy at West Point has set up many advanced mathematics courses, the purpose of which is not to apply these mathematical knowledge to practice, but to let students receive strict mathematics training, improve their personality, develop a firm, objective and fair character, and form rigorous and accurate thinking habits, so as to closely combine special abilities with flexible and rapid responses in future military operations and improve their ability to grasp military operations and respond to emergencies.
Looking at mathematics yesterday and today, it can be said that mathematics, as the basis of science and technology, has not only excellent intellectual value, but also extensive application value and profound reform value. Mathematics is not a chaotic collection of knowledge, but an open cultural system, which is the crystallization of human wisdom and creativity. Its profound cultural value is mainly manifested in: mathematics can help people better understand and know humanities, natural sciences, all human creations and the human world, and better adapt to social life; Mathematics can promote people to think in an orderly way, express and communicate effectively, and improve people's ability to obtain, screen and process all kinds of information quickly; Mathematics learning can develop people's initiative, sense of responsibility and self-confidence, enrich people's spiritual world, and cultivate people's scientific attitude of seeking truth from facts and spirit of innovation and exploration.
Mathematics is changing the world. As the famous Russian mathematics educator Gneyenko said: "The modern characteristics of social history are the rapid development of scientific knowledge, the rapid renewal of technical concepts, and the wide application of new scientific inventions in practical activities, not only the mathematization of science, but also the mathematization of most practical activities." Without considerable mathematical knowledge, it seems difficult to adapt to the rapid development of modern society. The 24th World Congress of Mathematicians was held in Beijing in August 2002, which not only marked the great improvement of China's mathematical science level and international academic status, but also set off a mathematical storm in China, giving people a new understanding of mathematical science. I hope that the whole society will care about and support mathematics education, and that students will know, understand and experience mathematics, so that mathematics can show its charm and radiate more brilliant light in the new century!