14

“If a lunatic scribbles a jumble of mathematical symbols it does not follow that the writing means anything merely because to the inexpert

eye it is indistinguishable from higher mathematics.”

— E r i c T E m p l E B E l l , q u o T E d i n J . r . n E w m a n ’ s T h E w o r l d o f m a T h E m a T i c s , 1 9 5 6

J a n u a r y 1 1

14

“If a lunatic scribbles a jumble of mathematical symbols it does not follow that the writing means anything merely because to the inexpert

eye it is indistinguishable from higher mathematics.”

— E r i c T E m p l E B E l l , q u o T E d i n J . r . n E w m a n ’ s T h E w o r l d o f m a T h E m a T i c s , 1 9 5 6

J a n u a r y 1 1

15

“God exists since mathematics is consistent, and the devil exists since we cannot prove the consistency.”

— M o r r i s K l i n e , M a t h e M a t i c a l t h o u g h t f r o M a n c i e n t t o M o d e r n t i M e s , 1 9 7 2

J a n u a r y 1 2

138

“The digits of pi beyond the first few decimal places are of no practical or scientific value. Four decimal places are sufficient for the design of the finest

engines; ten decimal places are sufficient to obtain the circumference of the earth within a fraction of an inch if the earth were a smooth sphere.”

— P e t r B e c k m a n n , a H i s t o r y o f P i , 1 9 7 6

m a y 1 4

139

“When you discover mathematical structures that you believe correspond to the world around you . . . you are communicating with the universe, seeing beautiful and deep structures and patterns that no one without your training can see. The mathematics is

there, it’s leading you, and you are discovering it. Mathematics is a profound language, an awesomely beautiful language. For some, like Leibniz, it is the language of God. I’m not religious, but I do believe that the universe is organized mathematically.”

— A n t h o n y t r o m b A , “ U C S C P r o f e S S o r S e e k S t o r e C o n n e C t m A t h e m A t i C S t o i t S i n t e l l e C t U A l r o o t S , ” U n i v e r S i t y o f C A l i f o r n i A P r e S S r e l e A S e , 2 0 0 3

m A y 1 5

142

B o r n o n t h i s d ay : Omar Khayyám, 1048; Bertrand Russell, 1872

“As the island of knowledge grows, the surface that makes contact with mystery expands. When major theories are overturned, what we thought was certain knowledge gives way, and knowledge touches upon mystery differently. This newly

uncovered mystery may be humbling and unsettling, but it is the cost of truth. Creative scientists, philosophers, and poets thrive at this shoreline.”

— W . M a r k r i c h a r d s o n , “ a s k e p t i c ’ s s e n s e o f W o n d e r , ” s c i e n c e , 1 9 9 8

M a y 1 8

142

B o r n o n t h i s d ay : Omar Khayyám, 1048; Bertrand Russell, 1872

“As the island of knowledge grows, the surface that makes contact with mystery expands. When major theories are overturned, what we thought was certain knowledge gives way, and knowledge touches upon mystery differently. This newly

uncovered mystery may be humbling and unsettling, but it is the cost of truth. Creative scientists, philosophers, and poets thrive at this shoreline.”

— W . M a r k r i c h a r d s o n , “ a s k e p t i c ’ s s e n s e o f W o n d e r , ” s c i e n c e , 1 9 9 8

M a y 1 8

143

“The pure mathematician, like the musician, is a free creator of his world of ordered beauty.”

— B e r t r a n d r u s s e l l , a H i s t o r y o f W e s t e r n P H i l o s o P H y , 1 9 4 5

M a y 1 9

360

B o r n o n t h i s d ay : Srinivasa Ramanujan, 1887

“I remember once going to see [Ramanujan] when he was lying ill at Putney. I had ridden in taxi cab number 1729 and remarked that the number seemed to me rather a dull one, and that I hoped it was not an unfavorable omen. ‘No,’

he replied, ‘it is a very interesting number; it is the smallest number expressible as the sum of two cubes in two different ways.’”

— G . h . h a r d y, “ t h e i n d i a n M a t h e M a t i c i a n r a M a n u j a n , ” t h e a M e r i c a n M a t h e M a t i c a l M o n t h ly , 1 9 3 7

d e c e M B e r 2 2

361

“I regret that it has been necessary for me in this lecture to administer a large dose of four-dimensional geometry. I do not apologise, because I am really not responsible for the fact that nature in its most fundamental aspect

is four-dimensional. Things are what they are. . . .”

— A l f r e d N . W h i t e h e A d , t h e C o N C e p t o f N A t u r e , 1 9 2 0

d e C e m b e r 2 3

362

B o r n o n t h i s d ay : Charles Hermite, 1822

“Wherever there is number, there is beauty.”

— P r o c l u s , q u o t e d i n M o r r i s K l i n e ’ s M a t h e M a t i c a l t h o u g h t f r o M a n c i e n t t o M o d e r n t i M e s , 1 9 9 0

d e c e M B e r 2 4

363

B o r n o n t h i s d ay : Isaac Newton, 1642

“The mathematical take-over of physics has its dangers, as it could tempt us into realms of thought which embody mathematical perfection but might be far removed, or even alien to, physical reality. Even at these dizzying heights we must ponder the same deep questions that troubled both Plato and Immanuel Kant. What is reality? Does it lie in our mind, expressed by mathematical formulae, or is it ‘out there’?”

— s i r M i c h a e l a t i ya h , “ P u l l i n g t h e s t r i n g s , ” n a t u r e , 2 0 0 5

d e c e M B e r 2 5

“It is impossible to be a mathematician without being a poet in soul.” —Sofia Kovalevskaya, Recollections of Childhood, 1895

From the ingenious author of The Math Book and The Physics Book comes an inspirational volume that celebrates the beauty and wisdom of mathematics. Every page of this yearlong devotional presents a sage remark alongside a stunning image relating to the world of math. The quotes feature insight from such brilliant thinkers as Pythagoras, Richard Feynman, and Robert Heinlein, and the art showcases everything from gorgeous fractals to splendid architecture.

November 2014Science & Nature/Science & Technology$19.95 ($21.95 Canada)Hardcover6 ¼ x 7 ½  •  392 pages (all in color)978-1-4549-1322-1

DISCLAIMERReviewers are reminded that changes may be made in this uncorrected proof before books are printed. If any material from the book is to be quoted in a review, the quotation should be checked against the final bound book. Dates, prices, and manufacturing details are subject to change or cancellation without notice.

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Internationally renowned author Clifford Pickover has published more  than 40 books,  translated  into over a dozen languages, on topics ranging from science and mathematics to religion, art, and history. Dr. Pickover received his PhD from Yale University’s Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry and holds more than 100 US patents. His research has received considerable attention from such media outlets as CNN, Wired, and the New York Times, and his website, pickover.com, has received millions of visits. He lives in Yorktown Heights, NY.

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