Question

If you could rename an area of mathematics, which area would you choose and what would you call it?

Answer 1

Absolutely I would rename elliptic curves. I don't know what to however.

Answer 2

Graph theory, I think is such a shame it is not called Network theory. We would be receiving millions in funding but no. The worst thing is that physicists claimed the name "complex network" for some amorphous study of whatever something something, and oh boy ... they got money.

Not maths, but Artificial Intelligence is quite bad.

Answer 3

Algebra is OK by me, but analysis over-reaches.

Answer 4

As an algebraic coding theory person, I do wish “coding theory” had a different name, so it didn’t get mixed up with computer “coding” (aka computer programming).

Idk what I would call it though :/

Answer 5

Analysis should be called Pain Theory. Real Analysis and Complex Analysis would be Real Pain and Complex Pain. Functional Pain would follow.

Answer 6

Linear Algebra. People are like "yeah, yeah.. I also learned about y=mx+b."

Answer 7

Game theory into decision theory.

When common folks think of games they think  about what children do.

Answer 8

Definitely rename "Imaginary" numbers because that term gives newbies the impression that they're not useful.

Calling them "Complex" is better, but I think I would prefer the term "Lateral Numbers", or maybe "2-Dimensional numbers", or some other term that references how they're a number line that can be thought of as being 'perpendicular' to the normal number line.

Answer 9

tropical geometry probably has the most controversial name. I don’t know how to rename it though.

There are some theories named after trash people for example Teichmüller theory or Kähler geometry. Would be nice if the names can be more informative

Answer 10

I don't like the term "Model" or "Model theory".  It prompts people to think of it like a model airplane or something. Like a smaller, less practical representation of something in the real world. I would prefer "interpretations" and "interpretation theory". Or, alternatively, "structures" and "structure theory".

The word "interpretation" does occur in model theory. It refers situations in which one structure represents or contains another structure. Funnily, in this case, I think the word "model" would be more appropriate because this is more analogous to the idea of a model airplane.