Mathematics, commonly known as math, is as old as human existence since people from all walks of life have always needed to count.

By 3000 B.C in ancient Mesopotamia and ancient Egypt, according to Wikipedia, an encyclopedia, taxation was being done with the use of arithmetic, algebra and geometry. Further still, other areas of study, such as commerce and astronomy, made use of mathematical concepts.

However, the study of math as an academic subject did not start until 6th Century B.C with the Pythagoras theorem being the first concept. The theorem deduces that the relationship of the three sides of a right angle is this: "the square of the hypotenuse (the side opposite the right angle) is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides.”

According to Britannica, an encyclopedia, the theory is named after ancient Greek mathematician Pythagoras, not because he developed it but because he was the first person to prove it.

It is the Greeks who then coined the term mathematics having derived it from the Greek word "máthema” which according to Wikibooks, a knowledge platform, means "subject of instruction.”

Many Greek mathematicians created formulas and theories during this time. For example, according to knowledge website History World, 3rd Century Greek mathematician Archimedes created formulas for calculating the surface area and volume of spheres and cylinders.

During the same time, Eratosthenes, another Greek mathematician and astronomer, worked out the circumference of the earth.

After Greece, China and Islamic civilisations carried Mathematics forward and developed new concepts. This is according to the website Story of Mathematics. Notable contributions include the invention of plus and minus symbols and x, y, z symbols which were introduced in the 17th Century to represent unknown numbers.

Over the years, people have developed and made use of mathematical formulas to create inventions for medical, information, scientific and numerous other purposes.

Famous mathematicians include French philosopher Blaise Pascal after whom the unit of atmospheric pressure Pascal (Pa) was named, English astronomer Sir Isaac Newton who developed Calculus, and American physicist, John Von Neumann, who came up with the set theory. French mathematician Marie-Sophie Germain initiated the elasticity theory.

The most commonly known mathematician is probably Albert Einstein. Einstein developed the theory of relativity, one of the two pillars of modern physics.

Mathematics will always be relevant and critical because it is universal and because its use transcends age, continent and social class.