A review of the definitions of the term 'mathematics'

Abstract

The purpose of definitions in mathematics is to ensure the precise meaning of mathematical notions and enable clear and rigorous communication of mathematical concepts. However, due to the complexity of the term "mathematics", scientists and linguists haven't agreed on its definition. A variety of definitions is offered throughout the literature, formed from different perspectives. They reflect the understanding of mathematics at a particular time in history, by a particular community, and often by a single person. In this paper, 50 definitions are collected, classified, and analyzed from the perspective of a mathematician. We consider that the collection exposed here will be inspiring for other researchers, and further analysis from different viewpoints will be elaborated.