Mathematical equations have been the most powerful tool to explain the world around us and expand our knowledge of the universe.
According to Greek sources, Italian physicist Galileo Galilei described the universe as a “grand book” written in the language of mathematics.
Throughout history, the greatest minds have used mathematical equations to understand the mysteries of the universe. Here are some of the most significant equations that changed our perception of the world:
Pythagorean Theorem
The Pythagorean School believed that “everything is a number.”
Pythagoras, one of the greatest ancient Greek thinkers, was influenced by the Babylonians, who assigned numerical values to everything around them.
The Pythagorean theorem, recorded between 570–495 BC, is a fundamental principle in Euclidean geometry that defines the distance between two points.
It states: “In a right triangle, the square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares of the two perpendicular sides.”
Law of Universal Gravitation
Isaac Newton’s law explained how gravity affects Earth and why planets move the way they do.
The law states that all objects attract each other with a gravitational force, which depends directly on their masses and inversely on the square of the distance between their centers.
Published in The Principia in July 1687, this equation was the foundation of physics for nearly two centuries.
Theory of Relativity
Albert Einstein revolutionized physics with his theory of relativity, which describes the relationship between space and time.
Instead of viewing gravity as an invisible force, Einstein proposed that massive objects warp the space around them. The greater the mass, the stronger the effect.
First introduced in 1905, this theory reshaped modern physics and deepened our understanding of the universe.
Maxwell’s Equations
After the discovery of electricity in the 1700s, Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell formulated equations that describe how electric and magnetic fields are generated and interact.
Maxwell’s equations paved the way for Einstein’s special theory of relativity and helped develop wireless communication technologies like cell phones.
In medicine, these equations contributed to advancements such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Napier’s Logarithm
John Napier is credited with introducing logarithms, which simplified complex calculations.
In the early 17th century, Napier’s logarithms provided a method to answer questions like, “How many times must we multiply x to get y?”
They became essential tools for early scientists, engineers, and navigators.
Schrödinger Equation
One of the most fundamental equations in quantum mechanics, the Schrödinger equation describes how particles behave in a force field and how physical quantities change over time.
Developed by Austrian physicist Erwin Schrödinger in 1926, this equation governs the behavior of atoms and subatomic particles, shaping our understanding of quantum physics.
