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James Joseph Sylvester Quotes

Mathematician

James Joseph Sylvester was an outstanding mathematician known for his contributions to algebra, number theory, and mathematical physics. Born on September 3, 1814, and died on March 15, 1897, Sylvester's work had a profound impact on later mathematicians.

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All Mathematics Mathematical Ideas Math Faculty May Pure Geometry Humans Law Mathematician Matter Mind Reason Seems Study Universe World Algebra Ends

Famous James Joseph Sylvester Quotes

“Aspiring to these wide generalizations, the analysis of quadratic functions soars to a pitch from whence it may look proudly down on the feeble and vain attempts of geometry proper to rise to its level or to emulate it in its flights.”

Looks May Levels Function Wide Flight Vain Analysis Soar Geometry Emulate Generalization Quadratics

Book:The Collected Mathematical Papers of James Joseph Sylvester

Source: The Collected Mathematical Papers of James Joseph Sylvester

“Chemistry has the same quickening and suggestive influence upon the algebraist as a visit to the Royal Academy, or the old masters may be supposed to have on a Browning or a Tennyson. Indeed it seems to me that an exact homology exists between painting and poetry on the one hand and modem chemistry and modem algebra on the other. In poetry and algebra we have the pure idea elaborated and expressed through the vehicle of language, in painting and chemistry the idea enveloped in matter, depending in part on manual processes and the resources of art for its due manifestation.”

“May not music be described as the mathematics of the sense, mathematics as music of the reason? The musician feels mathematics, the mathematician thinks music: music the dream, mathematics the working life.”

Thinking Feels May Reason Dream Music Musician Music Is Mathematics Mathematician Working Life

Book:The Collected Mathematical Papers of James Joseph Sylvester:

Source: The Collected Mathematical Papers of James Joseph Sylvester:

“Time was when all the parts of the subject were dissevered, when algebra, geometry, and arithmetic either lived apart or kept up cold relations of acquaintance confined to occasional calls upon one another; but that is now at an end; they are drawn together and are constantly becoming more and more intimately related and connected by a thousand fresh ties, and we may confidently look forward to a time when they shall form but one body with one soul.”

Source: The Laws of Verse: Or Principles of Versification Exemplified in Metrical Translations, Together with an Annotated Reprint of the Inaugural Presidential Address to the Mathematical and Physical Section of the British Association at Exeter