This has the happy corollary that mathematics is not bound by physical laws. While it is true that much physics uses mathematics, and it is quite wonderful that this is so, nevertheless, mathematics is not really concerned with the physical world. Mathematics does not answer questions about the way the world is. ![]() I wouldn’t be too surprised if the would-be philosopher was just engaging in some epistemological experimentation, and wasn’t quite serious, but you never know.ĭoctor Ceeks didn’t exactly take the side of the philosophy major, but came close: You cannot prove that the Earth is round or flat using mathematics. Nathan recalls learning how to calculate the circumference of the earth (and also that you can find your location by angles to the stars, which implies roundness) he seems to be primarily looking for that, but the philosophical question is deeper. Yes, he is a candidate for the flat earth society. ![]() I remember from high-school trig that it is possible (using a sextant) but if you could provide some general theories, I would appreciate it.Īlso within those parameters I can't use items like pictures because they can be forged. How can I explain, using math (he will agree with Pi = 3.14, simple trig and geometry, and standard definitions of distance) that:Ģ) One can determine a general position on earth fixing with stellar pointsģ) The circumference of the earth (in km) He's telling me the premises for determining that the earth is round are false. My friend, who is a philosophy major, says the earth is flat. I was wondering if you could settle a bet. ![]() I’ll start with this direct question, from 1996: Proof: Earth is Round Can you use mathematics to prove that the earth is round? That’s a question we get from time to time, sometimes from people who want to prove the earth is flat, sometimes from people who want to convince their friends otherwise, and sometimes just from students.
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