Author(s)

Espen Gaarder Haug¹, Pankaj Mani²

¹Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway.
²Independent Researcher, New Delhi, India.

In this paper, we point out an interesting asymmetry in the rules of fundamental mathematics between positive and negative numbers. Further, we show an alternative numerical system identical to today’s system, but where positive numbers dominate over negative numbers. This is like a mirror symmetry of the existing number system. The asymmetry in both systems leads to imaginary and complex numbers. We also suggest an alternative number system with perfectly symmetrical rules—that is, where there is no dominance of negative numbers over positive numbers or vice versa, and where imaginary and complex numbers are no longer needed. This number system seems to be superior to other numerical systems, as it brings simplicity and logic back to areas that complex rules have dominated for much of the history of mathematics. Finally, we also briefly discuss how the Riemann hypothesis may be linked to the asymmetry in the current number system. The foundation rules of a number system can, in general, not be proven incorrect or correct inside the number system itself. However, the ultimate goal of a number system is, in our view, to describe nature accurately. The optimal number system should therefore be developed with feedback from nature. If nature, at a very fundamental level, is ruled by symmetry, then a symmetric number system should make it easier to understand nature than an asymmetric number system would. We hypothesize that a symmetric number system may thus be better suited to describing nature. Further, such a number system should eliminate imaginary numbers in space-time and quantum mechanics, for example, two areas of physics that are clouded in mystery to this day.

Asymmetry, Symmetry, Imaginary Numbers, Quantum Physics, Riemann Hypothesis

Haug, E. and Mani, P. (2021) Killing Imaginary Numbers? From Today’s Asymmetric Number System to a Symmetric System. Advances in Pure Mathematics, 11, 741-754. doi: 10.4236/apm.2021.118049.