The question of whether numbers and mathematics exist independently of the human mind or are human inventions is a topic of philosophical and ontological debate.
Platonists argue that mathematical objects, including numbers, have an independent existence and exist in a non-physical realm of abstract entities. According to this view, mathematical truths are discovered, not invented, by humans. Platonists believe that mathematical entities have an objective reality that transcends the human mind.
On the other hand, constructivists and formalists maintain that mathematics is a human creation and that mathematical objects, including numbers, are products of human thought and language. According to this perspective, mathematical concepts are constructed through logical rules and conventions, and they exist within the framework of human understanding.
Intuitionists take a middle ground, suggesting that mathematical objects, while not existing independently of the human mind, are products of human intuition and mental activity. In this view, mathematical entities are mental constructs that arise from our cognitive processes.
There is no definitive answer to this question, and different philosophical schools have varying perspectives. The philosophy of mathematics is a complex and ongoing area of inquiry that continues to fascinate scholars and thinkers. Ultimately, whether numbers and mathematics exist independently of the human mind or are human inventions depends on the philosophical framework and perspective one adopts.