Number Theory

Quotes & Thinkers in Number Theory

37 thinkers

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Bernhard Riemann

Mathematics

1826–1866

"Thesis. Finite, Representable. Antithesis. Infinite, System of Notions lying at the limit of the representable."

"God made the integers, all the rest is the work of man."

"I am not here concerned with intent, but with scientific standards, especially the ability to tell the difference between a fact, an opinion, a hypothesis, and a hole in the ground."

"Number theory swarms with bugs, waiting to bite the tempted flower-lovers who, once bitten, are inspired to excesses of effort!"

4 quotes

🇬🇧John Edensor Littlewood

Mathematics

1885–1977

"I recall once saying that when I had given the same lecture several times I couldn't help feeling that they really ought to know it by now."

"John J. O'Connor, Edmund F. Robertson, Jacob Bernoulli, MacTutor History of Mathematics archive, University of St Andrews."

"First rate mathematicians choose first rate people, but second rate mathematicians choose third rate people."

"If a, c are two different numbers, there are infinitely many different numbers lying between a, c."

"The assumption of the contraction of the electron in Lorentz's theory must be introduced at an earlier stage than Lorentz has actually done."

"I am afraid that mathematics will perish by the end of this century if the present trend for senseless abstraction — as I call it: theory of the empty set — cannot be blocked up."

3 quotes

Henry John Stephen Smith

"When things get too complicated, it sometimes makes sense to stop and wonder: Have I asked the right question?"

1 quotes

🇮🇳Srinivasa Ramanujan

Mathematics

1887–1920

"Feature Film on Mathematics Genius Ramanujan by Dev Benegal and Stephen Fry"

"I know it's a rare privilege, but if one can really tackle something in adult life that means that much to you, then it's more rewarding than anything I can imagine."

🇩🇪Carl Gustav Jacob Jacobi

Mathematics

1804–1851

"Any progress in the theory of partial differential equations must also bring about a progress in Mechanics."

"We must admit with humility that, while number is purely a product of our minds, space has a reality outside our minds, so that we cannot completely prescribe its properties a priori."

"The twentieth century return to Middle Age scholastics taught us a lot about formalisms. Probably it is time to look outside again. Meaning is what really matters."

"... I have said for twenty-five or thirty years that the one thing I would really like to know before I die is why the monster group exists."

"I will ask of you only the ability to read English and to think logically—no high school mathematics, and certainly no higher mathematics."

"The efficient use of plausible reasoning is a practical skill and it is learned... by imitation and practice. ...what I can offer are only examples for imitation and opportunity for practice."

🇺🇸Leonard Eugene Dickson

Mathematics

1874–1954

"It is a lucky thing that newspaper reporters do not attend these meetings. If they did, they would see how little our activities are related to the real needs of society."

1 quotes

James Joseph Sylvester

Mathematics

1814–1897

"Number, place, and combination . . . the three intersecting but distinct spheres of thought to which all mathematical ideas admit of being referred."

"Ideality is preëminently the foundation of Mathematics."

"It is not enough to be in the right place at the right time. You should also have an open mind at the right time."

"It doesn't matter how long it takes, if the end result is a good theorem."

1 quotes

George Ballard Mathews

Mathematics

1861–1922

"The invention of the symbol ≡ by Gauss affords a striking example of the advantage which may be derived from an appropriate notation, and marks an epoch in the development of the science of arithmetic."

"Symmetry is a vast subject, significant in art and nature. Mathematics lies at its root, and it would be hard to find a better one on which to demonstrate the working of the mathematical intellect."

29 quotes