Quotessence
Home / Quotes / Quote by Michael Atiyah

Quote by Michael Atiyah

“In the broad light of day mathematicians check their equations and their proofs, leaving no stone unturned in their search for rigour. But, at night, under the full moon, they dream, they float among the stars and wonder at the miracle of the heavens. They are inspired. Without dreams there is no art, no mathematics, no life.”

Quote by Michael Atiyah

Work

Michael Atiyah Collected Works: 2002-2013

The Michael Atiyah Collected Works: 2002-2013 is a comprehensive compilation of mathematical papers and lectures by Michael Atiyah, a prominent figure in the mathematics community. The volume encompasses a variety of subjects within mathematics, reflecting Atiyah's extensive research and scholarly activities during the specified time period. more

Author

Michael Atiyah
Michael Atiyah

Michael Atiyah, born on April 22, 1929, is a renowned mathematician from the United Kingdom. He has made significant contributions to various fields of mathematics, particularly in topology, geometry, and mathematical physics. Atiyah is known for his research in K-theory, index theorems, and geometric analysis. more

You May Also Like

“There are two versions of math in the lives of many Americans: the strange and boring subject that they encountered in classrooms and an interesting set of ideas that is the math of the world, and is curiously different and surprisingly engaging. Our task is to introduce this second version to today's students, get them excited about math, and prepare them for the future.”

“Suppose that you want to teach the 'cat' concept to a very young child. Do you explain that a cat is a relatively small, primarily carnivorous mammal with retractible claws, a distinctive sonic output, etc.? I'll bet not. You probably show the kid a lot of different cats, saying 'kitty' each time, until it gets the idea. To put it more generally, generalizations are best made by abstraction from experience.”

“First, it is necessary to study the facts, to multiply the number of observations, and then later to search for formulas that connect them so as thus to discern the particular laws governing a certain class of phenomena. In general, it is not until after these particular laws have been established that one can expect to discover and articulate the more general laws that complete theories by bringing a multitude of apparently very diverse phenomena together under a single governing principle.”