NUMBERS

NUMBERS

Numbers are so complicated to me. I have to know them only because it is expected of everyone. I dare not say out loud what goes on in my head for I may be categorised. The world sets boundaries on what is considered normal behaviour. Everything that does not conform is discouraged or shunned. But for real is one(1) plus one(1) equal to two(2). Why does one(1) change? Which one(1) changes? Do they both change? In that case shouldn’t the answer be different? Could it be a three(3) or five(5). I don’t see any structure or method. Each number changes value depending on the symbol before or after it. That is yet another contention within me. When am I going to get the time to memorise all the symbols, the matrix and the calculating. Had it been chemistry, numbers would have been the most unstable element.

How about if one were to describe a family using numbers. Would it be 1,2 or 3 for each parent depending on their age, height or weight. Would there be different numbers for the children if they were of the same sex or if they were badly behaved. Is poverty or affluence taken into account. Would family be best described as one number like ninety-four(94) or would it be in binary (1011110). Words can suffice on their own to describe a family without using numbers – a father, a mother, a daughter, a son. To me family is just that, a parent or parents, with or without children. There is no need for numbers as far as I am concerned. I don’t even know how many we are in our family. The last time granddad counted (when he was still alive) there were 42 grandchildren. I never have to trouble myself with numbers when it come to family. I know the names and can spell them too. I don’t see the point in numbers really and others like me would do away with them if they could.

Then there is something about ‘A pair of red shoes’. How many shoes is that? Is it one(1) because ‘A” refers to something single. Is it two (2) because ‘Pair” means two. Shoes come in twos. Do heels and shoelaces count because some shoes do not have either? Shouldn’t it be different if they are ladies, men’s or sports shoes? Should the answer be 5, or should it be three(3). All the answers are logical to me but I dare not say it loud. How about flowers? I suppose the stem and leaves are counted as one. Twelve red roses. I assume that refers to the plants that have the flower. Shouldn’t we count the petals too so we can have a true result. I don’t think all flowers have the same number of petals. Maybe we could stick to words alone and refer to them as a bunch of flowers. Maybe if we took such a stance we could get rid of numbers for good. In time we would come up with a simpler system of words that replace numbers.

The digit 1. known as one, used and referred to as once, first and single. The digit 2 known as two and twice, second, double and pair. This goes on and on to infinity. The dictionary is filled with all these mathematical terms from Algebra to Zero. Tangents that vexed my head. The Coefficient, whatever it is and the Geometric mean I could never exponentiate. I cannot calculate my budget and the interest on my loan because it is hefty. As of Derivatives, Equivalence, Quotients and Equations I am completely lost. I have struggled all my life with this. I was alright until they complicated things and confused me. I had mastered everything there was to know about adding and subtracting, multiplication and division, long and short were all in hand. I was even the maestro at ratios. Then the rules were changed.  I had been told that it was not possible to subtract a larger number from a smaller number. All of a sudden one could subtract anything and everything. More calculations became part of the curriculum like factorisation and tangents. I would have gone and dumped them for all I cared. But then I found out the ultimate measure of value in this life is money. Everything about it, be it calculating or lack of it, is done using numbers. Maybe I have blocked my mind to figures because my bank balance does not have any other numbers but Zero.

Numbers infiltrate the alphabet world making use of the letters we rarely use like X and Y, and those we do love like A and E. I mastered the Abacus the same time I did the alphabet. Its utilisation in the world of numbers however proved diminutive. Whereas the alphabet is the basis of every word. Each and every letter is retained in the many words of our vocabulary. Everything is simple and straightforward. Letters make words that make phrases that translate into sentences. Sentences tell beautiful stories of our everyday life. We live and learn from scripts and writings all based on letters from the alphabet. It is not possible to  have a conversation just composed of numbers. Different numerals grouped together systematically to make sense does not exist for me. Figures on their own cannot complete a sentence. They require the involution of letters and words in order to exist. Wouldn’t it be mind boggling if we had to triangulate or use floccinaucinihilipilification to explain whatever it is we needed to say rather than use words. What would it be like if we had to deal with quadratic equations in our daily lives. Mathematical terms also take a big chunk out of the dictionary. As if it were not enough they also use our everyday words like theory, hypothesis and many more. It looks as if numbers cannot exist on their own but need words in order to enhance their existence. It is clear in my mind that numbers on their own cannot suffice.  

Then I start thinking of how complex life would be without numbers. However things are much better in this ‘Now’ world. Computers have simplified matters. No longer does this generation have to go through the torture of Mental Arithmetic and reciting Times tables. I asked my daughter, ‘2 x 2?”. She had to check on her phone before she gave me the answer. I am certain if I went back to school now, numbers would be my best friend. I am drifting away in that direction when I am jolted back into the world where alarms exist and numbers are real. It’s time to prepare supper. That is me, I have to set a reminder to return from the place I truly live and love. Where numbers have no residence. I take a look at my phone. It is heaving with messages and missed calls. I return the calls and messages but have to invent a reason why it took so long to call back. I cannot tell anyone that I spent the day thinking about numbers. Even those closest to me will have doubts in their in their minds regarding my sanity. They would surely have me committed.