Mathematics and the sciences

E T Bell described mathematics as ‘the Queen of Science’, reflecting the dual nature of mathematics as both a service to other subjects and a study in its own right. Increasingly, mathematics is seen as a fundamental body of knowledge in our modern society, whether it is used as an essential skill for many professions or a language that can be used to analyse our natural surroundings. Some topics that initially appeared to be abstract, and studied only by those who enjoy the challenges posed by the logical techniques of mathematics, have proved to be crucial as our technology has advanced. (For example, complex numbers were classed as ‘pure’ mathematics until the 1940s, when their use in electronics became apparent.) Others appreciate mathematics as an aesthetic experience, or even as a basis for organising our existence into a set of coherent logical concepts. Given the widespread applications of mathematics, it is not surprising that the study of this subject is one of the six key strands of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP), and is compulsory for all students on the programme.