De Morgan was explaining to an actuary what was the chance…
![“De Morgan was explaining to an actuary what was the chance that a certain proportion of some group of people would at the end of a given time be alive; and quoted the actuarial formula, involving p [pi], which, in answer to a question, he explained stood for the ratio of the circumference of a…” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/q/img-quotes/a88/anonymous-1_acquaintance_de-morgan-was-explaining-to-an-actuary-w_411877.jpg)
“De Morgan was explaining to an actuary what was the chance that a certain proportion of some group of people would at the end of a given time be alive; and quoted the actuarial formula, involving p [pi], which, in answer to a question, he explained stood for the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. His acquaintance, who had so far listened to the explanation with interest, interrupted him and exclaimed, 'My dear friend, that must be a delusion, what can a circle have to do with the number of people alive at a given time?'”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
De Morgan used π (the circle‑to‑diameter ratio) as a symbol for a probability parameter, confusing a lay listener who expected a literal circle connection
In simple terms: He used a mathematical constant as a placeholder for a probability, not a literal circle
Key Takeaway
Recognize symbols may be abstract, not literal
Themes
mathematics
probability
communication
Mood
confused
curious
Type
educational
anecdotal
When to use this quote
- actuarial calculations
- teaching
- public speaking
- technical discussions
Key Concepts
symbolism
abstraction
misinterpretation
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you clarify abstract symbols in everyday talk?
- What strategies help bridge technical and lay language?
A Different Perspective
Listeners may misinterpret technical symbols without context