fMRI shows how we see beauty in mathematics

While the nature of beauty is a topic often left to philosophers poet, it appears that scientists and mathematicians may understand the beauty of complexity. A study conducted by researchers at University College London found a correlation between mathematical formulae and a neurological response to beauty in the minds of mathematicians.

Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), neuroscientists watched activation of the orbitofrontal cortex as mathematicians were shown a variety of formulae. The orbitofrontal cortex, a region in the brain’s frontal lobe, is involved in the process of decision making. Activation in this region is thought to represent emotion, particularly an appreciation for beauty in this study.

During imaging, the mathematicians were shown, among other formulae, Euler’s identity, the Pythagorean theorem, Taylor polynomials and Riemann equations. These formulae gave positive orbitofrontal cortex readings. Thus, in addition to being stimulated by attractive people and aesthetically pleasing artwork, our appreciation for beauty can be triggered by information. Such a response, according to the study, is contingent on the observer’s own personal knowledge.

For the mathematicians in this study, Euler’s method was the most consistently viewed as beautiful. This particular function converts a variety of operations and complex numbers into a clear, concise justification for certain mathematical phenomena. 

Interestingly, the researchers of this study think that an intrinsic sense of beauty may inspire mathematicians in the same way pleasing colors or harmonious music can inspire artists and musicians. This result gives a new meaning to the side door of Krieger Hall: “The Artist’s Entrance” welcomes professors and students of the math department on a daily basis.

When interviewed about their responses, the participating mathematicians said they found the formulae pleasing because it combined the intrinsic beauty of numbers and their logical connections with a rigorous understanding of subtle characteristics of the universe.

Thus, despite our understanding of scientists and mathematicians as stolid academics, the UCL study seems to indicate these number-crunchers may have more in common with artists and writers than we originally thought.