Mathematicians need proofs to keep them honest. All technical areas of human activity need reality checks. It is not enough to believe that something works, that it is a good way to proceed, or even that it is true. We… — Ian Stewart Copy Share Image
The power of equations lies in the philosophically difficult correspondence between mathematics, a collective creation of human minds, and an external physical reality. Equations model deep patterns in the outside world. By learning to value equations, and to read the… — Ian Stewart Copy Share Image
“There are 10 kinds of people in the world: those who understand binary numerals, and those who don't.” — Ian Stewart Copy Share Image
If our brains were simple enough for us to understand them, we'd be so simple that we couldn't. — Ian Stewart Copy Share Image
Our teaching of mathematics revolves around a fundamental conflict. Rightly or wrongly, students are required to master a series of mathematical concepts and techniques,… — Ian Stewart Copy Share Image
Mathematics is the science of patterns, and nature exploits just about every pattern that there is. — Ian Stewart Copy Share Image
Two centuries ago Carl Friedrich Gauss, one of the greatest mathematicians and a founder of number theory, described his brainchild as "the queen of… — Ian Stewart Copy Share Image
“Only three constants are significant for star formation: the gravitational constant, the fine structure constant, and a constant that governs nuclear reaction rates.” — Ian Stewart Copy Share Image
Religion hinges upon faith, politics hinges upon who can tell the most convincing lies or maybe just shout the loudest, but science hinges upon… — Ian Stewart Copy Share Image
During the past fifty years, more mathematics has been created than in all previous ages put together. — Ian Stewart Copy Share Image
The flapping of a single butterfly's wing today produces a tiny change in the state of the atmosphere. Over a period of time, what… — Ian Stewart Copy Share Image
