Niels Henrik Abel Quotes

6 Sourced Quotes

The mathematicians have been very much absorbed with finding the general solution of algebraic equations, and several of them have tried to prove the impossibility of it. However, if I am not mistaken, they have not as yet succeeded. I therefore dare hope that the mathematicians will receive this memoir with good will, for its purpose is to fill this gap in the theory of algebraic equations.

Niels Henrik Abel
On the whole, I do not like the French as well as the Germans; the French are extremely reserved toward strangers... Everybody works for himself without concern for others. All want to instruct, and nobody wants to learn. The most absolute egotism reigns everywhere. The only thing the French look for in strangers is the practical; no one can think except himself, he is the only one who can produce anything theoretical. This is the way he thinks and so you can understand it is really difficult to be noticed, particularly for a beginner.

Niels Henrik Abel
On the whole, Divergent series are the work of the Devil and it's a Shame that one dares base any Demonstration on them. You can get whatever result you want when you use them, and they have given rise to so many Disasters and so many Paradoxes. Can anything more horrible be conceived than to have the following oozing out of you:
0 = 1 - 2n + 3n - 4n + etc.
where n is a whole Number? Risum teneatis amici. [Laughter retains friends]

Niels Henrik Abel
It is readily seen that any theory written by Laplace will be superior to all produced of lower standing. It appears to me that if one wants to make progress in mathematics, one should study the masters and not the pupils.

Niels Henrik Abel
The divergent series are the invention of the devil, and it is a shame to base on them any demonstrations whatsoever.

Niels Henrik Abel
With the exception of the geometric series, there does not exist in all of mathematics a single infinite series whose sum has been determined rigorously.

Niels Henrik Abel