Today, mathematics is the focus of attention in education and research, in technological innovation and in economic competition. More and more research is revealing the penalties inflicted on societies where the handling of mathematical knowledge and information weakens. In a world overexposed to algorithmic tools, numeracy is becoming a major civic issue. And yet, in France, the gap is widening between the training of students, which is losing effectiveness and equity, and the still high value of mathematical research ; while other nations are reacting to educate their youth and attract talent. To understand these developments, this collective work explores the inner workings of this prestigious, demanding and intimidating science. How do mathematicians work and how are they trained ? How do their ideas compete in the global arena ? What value do genius and the scientific community have in the ethos of the profession ? Why are women still very much in the minority ? What have been the effects of the reform of " modern mathematics " ? These are just some of the questions that will help us to address the specific features of the " world of mathematics ", structured - like art or sport - by the universality of its language, the rigor of its practice and its incessant creativity.
Published with the support of the Fondation du Collège de France and its sponsor LVMH.
