complex mathematics

[tali122]

which profession uses the most complex methods of mathematics- is it physicists, or even a particular area of physics? - what other proffessions use complex maths - actuaries perhaps?

[jake-the-peg]

Theoretical physicists often use mathematical techniques developed by mathematicians years before.

For example Rieman geometry was developed by Bernhard Riemann in the middle of the last century and was plucked from the shelf as a tool in the resolution of the Einstein field equations in General relativity describing the form of the universe.

Actuaries don't come close!

[ugly_bob]

Any branch of mathematical science, once you get deep enough becomes very complicated.

Try non-linear fluid dynamics - that's a lot of fun. In general use, computer simulations are used a lot, and the mathematics are saved for university researchers etc.

[fo3nix]

mathematicians use/develop the most complex forms of maths.

physicists mostly use calculus of some form or another. group theory is also often used, because it describes symmetries very well (something very important in physics).

as bob says, fluid mechanics is perhaps the most complicated. though, any time you try to model something with more than 2 components to it (e.g. gravitational forces between 3 objects), you get into lots of trouble, because you end up with all sorts of chaotic problems that can only be approximately solved with computers.

[Gef]

Maths is maths. It is no more complicated now than it was one hundred years ago. Everyone uses computer models now. The problem is in writing the software to deal with your problem.

[aidantraffor]

Housewives when working out their husbands beer money!