It strikes me that mathematical writing is similar to…
“It strikes me that mathematical writing is similar to using a language. To be understood you have to follow some grammatical rules. However, in our case, nobody has taken the trouble of writing down the grammar; we get it as a baby does from parents, by imitation of others. Some mathematicians have a good ear; some not (and some prefer the slangy expressions such as 'iff'). That's life.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Mathematical writing relies on implicit grammar learned by imitation, unlike formal language rules.
In simple terms: Math writing is learned by copying, not explicit rules.
Key Takeaway
Study examples and internalize conventions.
Themes
mathematics
writing
language
learning
convention
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
observation
insight
When to use this quote
- teaching math
- writing papers
- learning notation
Key Concepts
grammar
imitation
communication
notation
understanding
Questions to Reflect On
- How does informal learning shape clarity?
- Should we formalize mathematical grammar?
A Different Perspective
Not all mathematicians agree on the importance of formal grammar.