1. Mathematics underlies modern technology and has helped solve many practical problems throughout history. Early math helped with tasks like taxation and led to concepts like integers, fractions, and the quadratic equation.
2. Pythagoras discovered mathematical relationships between musical notes that are the basis for scales still used today. Later mathematicians developed the well-tempered scale to allow instruments to play in all keys.
3. Mathematicians have made many contributions to fields like imaging, encryption, error correction, and more. Fourier analysis allows reconstruction of objects from their shadows or other partial information. Error-correcting codes enabled modern communication technologies.