Date Calculation
Today is April 20th, so 14 days later is the 34th, which is 34 minus 30—May 4th. Since 20 plus 14 equals 34, the date will be April 34th. And April 34th is equivalent to May 4th, that’s all (Figure 2.6). She invented a non-existent date so that her derivation could directly reach the goal. And this did not hinder her from getting the correct result at all! Complex numbers arrive unexpectedly like this.
Fearless of Being Different
Do not fear being different; this is the wisdom of the umbrella. Let us be fearless, neither feeling shame nor holding prejudice. Once we accept holding up the abstract umbrella over our heads and entering the world of mathematics, we will no longer completely rely on reality. You do not need to trap yourself in useless limitations or embarrassing existing concepts. Do you want an April 34th? Take it! Do you want a negative number? Take it! Do you want infinity? Take it! If all these ideas do not interfere with your organization of thought, but even help it, then why deprive them? You are free!
Mathematics and Imagination
Studying mathematics is creating an imaginary world where our thoughts can wander freely, without worrying about the hindrance of reality. Although this way of thinking covers a much wider scope, it is very similar to the way the Nippurians used to simplify multiplication in the world of addition. When you encounter a scientific problem, the following method is often very effective:
- Create a mathematical world where you can model the problem;
- Solve the problem within this mathematical world;
- Transfer the result back to the real world.