a + b = what? The 5 most important Equations
Many of us have a love-hate relationship with mathematics, but there’s no denying that it plays a huge role in our everyday lives. From cooking and shopping to finance and technology, mathematics is everywhere.
In this blog post, I’ll be sharing with you the 5 most important mathematical equations that are used every day across the world.
Pythagorean Theorem
Let’s start with one of the most famous equations in maths – the Pythagorean Theorem. This equation states that in a right-angled triangle, the square of the length of the hypotenuse (the longest side) is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides. It’s written as a^2 + b^2 = c^2, where c is the length of the hypotenuse and a and b are the lengths of the other two sides. This equation is used in fields such as construction, architecture, and engineering, as it helps to calculate the length of the sides of a right-angled triangle.
Pythagoras, (born c. 570 BCE, Samos, Ionia [Greece]—died c. 500–490 BCE, Metapontum, Lucanium [Italy]), Greek philosopher, mathematician, and founder of the Pythagorean brotherhood that, although religious in nature, formulated principles that influenced the thought of Plato and Aristotle and contributed to the development of mathematics and Western rational philosophy.
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2023, January 5). Pythagoras. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Pythagoras
Quadratic Formula
The quadratic formula is used to find the roots of a quadratic equation, which is an equation of the form ax^2 + bx + c = 0. It’s written as x = (-b ± sqrt(b^2 – 4ac)) / 2a, where sqrt means “square root.” This equation is used in fields such as physics, finance, and computer science, as it helps to solve problems involving quadratic functions.
Newton’s Second Law
Newton’s Second Law is an equation that describes the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration. It states that the force applied to an object is equal to its mass multiplied by its acceleration. This equation is written as F = ma, where F is the force applied, m is the mass of the object, and a is its acceleration. This equation is used in fields such as physics and engineering, as it helps to calculate the force required to move an object.
Euler’s Formula
Euler’s Formula is a complex equation that relates the exponential function, trigonometric functions, and imaginary numbers. It’s written as e^(ix) = cos(x) + i sin(x), where e is Euler’s number, i is the imaginary unit (i.e. the square root of -1), x is the angle in radians, cos(x) is the cosine function, and sin(x) is the sine function. This equation is used in fields such as electrical engineering, physics, and computer graphics, as it helps to model waveforms and oscillations.
Compound Interest Formula
Finally, let’s talk about the compound interest formula. This equation is used in finance to calculate the interest earned on an investment over time. It’s written as A = P(1 + r/n)^(nt), where A is the total amount after n years, P is the principal (i.e. the initial amount invested), r is the interest rate (expressed as a decimal), n is the number of times the interest is compounded per year, and t is the number of years. This equation is used in fields such as banking and investment, as it helps to determine the return on investment.
So there you have it…
… the 5 most important mathematical equations that are used every day. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who wants to understand the world a little better, these equations are worth knowing. It’s also interesting to note that none of the equations above use numbers; Maths is a process, a formula, and a method the numbers are added to work out a specific result and are interchangeable. Maths may seem daunting at first, but with a little practice and understanding, it can be a powerful tool for solving everyday problems.
