ZOOLOGY, n. The science and history of the animal kingdom, including its king, the House Fly ("Musca maledicta"). The father of Zoology was Aristotle, as is universally conceded, but the name of its mother has not come down to us.
Ambrose BierceRead
I am ever more intrigued by the correspondence between mathematics and physical facts. The adaptability of mathematics to the description of physical phenomena is uncanny.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Mathematics profoundly describes and explains physical realities, showcasing its remarkable adaptability.
In this quote, Nicolaas Bloembergen expresses his fascination with how mathematics serves as a powerful tool for understanding and describing the complexities of the physical world. He highlights the surprising ability of mathematical concepts to align closely with tangible phenomena, emphasizing the inherent connection between abstract mathematics and observable reality.
Themes
MathematicsPhysical FactsAdaptabilityCorrespondencePhenomena
In practice
Example use cases
A professor using this quote during a lecture on the relationship between math and physics.
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