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Colin Maclaurin Quotes

Mathematician

Colin Maclaurin (1698-1746) was a distinguished Scottish mathematician and a leading figure in the Newton school of mathematics. He became a professor of mathematics at Marischal College Aberdeen at the remarkably young age of 19. Maclaurin made significant contributions to calculus, geometry, and algebra, and is best remembered for the Maclaurin series, a special case of the Taylor series. His influential work "Treatise on Fluxions" (1742) systematically developed Newton's method of fluxions and addressed issues of convergence. He also contributed to geodesy, astronomy, and physics, winning prizes from the French Academy of Sciences. As a professor at the University of Edinburgh, he trained generations of mathematicians and played a pivotal role in the Scottish Enlightenment's scientific advancement. He died on June 14, 1746, at age 48.

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Famous Colin Maclaurin Quotes

“Nature … has made it impossible for us to have any communication from this earth with the other great bodies of the universe, in our present state; and it is highly possible that he has likewise cut off all communication betwixt the other planets, and betwixt the different systems.… We observe, in all of them, enough to raise our curiosity, but not to satisfy it … It does not appear to be suitable to the wisdom that shines throughout all nature, to suppose that we should see so far, and have our curiosity so much raised … only to be disappointed at the end … This, therefore, naturally leads us to consider our present state as only the dawn or beginning of our existence, and as a state of preparation or probation for farther advancement.…”

Wisdom Earth Universe Nature Space Existence Planets Communication Future Curiosity Advancement Interstellar Intergalactic Solar Systems Star Systems Alien Worlds

Author:Colin Maclaurin

“ALGEBRA is a general Method of Computation by certain Signs and Symbols which have been contrived for this Purpose, and found convenient.”

Has Beens Purpose Certain Found Logic Method Symbols Certainty Uncertainty Reasoning Convenient Algebra Ontology Computation Signs And Symbols

Book:A Treatise of Algebra, in Three Parts: Containing I. The Fundamental Rules and Operations; II. The Composition and Resolution of Equations of All Degrees, and the Different Affections of Their Roots; III. The Application of Algebra and Geometry to Each Other. To which is Added an Appendix Concerning the General Properties of Geometrical Lines

Source: A Treatise of Algebra, in Three Parts: Containing I. The Fundamental Rules and Operations; II. The Composition and Resolution of Equations of All Degrees, and the Different Affections of Their Roots; III. The Application of Algebra and Geometry to Each Other. To which is Added an Appendix Concerning the General Properties of Geometrical Lines

“[writing to Stirling in 1740] ... an unlucky accident happened to some of the French mathematicians in Peru. It seems that they were shewing French gallantry to the natives' wives, who have murdered their servants destroyed their instruments and burnt their papers, the Gentlemen escaping narrowly themselves. What an ugly article this will make in a journal.”

Writing Seems Wife Happened Paper Instruments Ugly Accidents Destroyed Servant Gentleman Articles Mathematician Journal Papers Escaping Unlucky Peru Gallantry

Author:Colin Maclaurin

“It is not therefore the business of philosophy, in our present situation in the universe, to attempt to take in at once, in one view, the whole scheme of nature; but to extend, with great care and circumspection, our knowledge, by just steps, from sensible things, as far as our observations or reasonings from them will carry us, in our enquiries concerning either the greater motions and operations of nature, or her more subtile and hidden works. In this way Sir Isaac Newton proceeded in his discoveries.”

Source: An Account of Sir Isaac Newton's Philosophical Discoveries. 2. Ed