All George Polya Quotes
- Quite often, when an idea that could be helpful presents itself, we do not appreciate it, for it is so inconspicuous. The expert has, perhaps,… Appreciate
- The world is anxious to admire that apex and culmination of modern mathematics: a theorem so perfectly general that no particular application of it is… Admire
- The elegance of a mathematical theorem is directly proportional to the number of independent ideas one can see in the theorem and inversely proportional to… Directly
- The first rule of discovery is to have brains and good luck. The second rule of discovery is to sit tight and wait till you… Brain
- Mathematics is the cheapest science. Unlike physics or chemistry, it does not require any expensive equipment. All one needs for mathematics is a pencil and… All
- When introduced at the wrong time or place, good logic may be the worst enemy of good teaching. Enemy
- Where should I start? Start from the statement of the problem. ... What can I do? Visualize the problem as a whole as clearly and… Clearly
- If you have to prove a theorem, do not rush. First of all, understand fully what the theorem says, try to see clearly what it… All
- A great discovery solves a great problem, but there is a grain of discovery in the solution of any problem. Your problem may be modest,… Any
- Look around when you have got your first mushroom or made your first discovery: they grow in clusters. Clusters
- The future mathematician ... should solve problems, choose the problems which are in his line, meditate upon their solution, and invent new problems. By this… All
- If the proof starts from axioms, distinguishes several cases, and takes thirteen lines in the text book ... it may give the youngsters the impression… Axioms
- In order to translate a sentence from English into French two things are necessary. First, we must understand thoroughly the English sentence. Second, we must… Attempt
- There was a seminar for advanced students in Zürich that I was teaching and von Neumann was in the class. I came to a certain… Advanced
- The open secret of real success is to throw your whole personality into your problem. Into
- Geometry is the science of correct reasoning on incorrect figures. Correct
- My method to overcome a difficulty is to go round it. Difficulty
- The first rule of style is to have something to say. The second rule of style is to control yourself when, by chance, you have… Both
- Beauty in mathematics is seeing the truth without effort. Beauty
- If there is a problem you can't solve, then there is an easier problem you can't solve: find it. Easier