QuoteProject
Strange as it may sound, the power of mathematics rests on its evasion of all unnecessary thought and on its wonderful saving of mental operations.
Ernst Mach
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Mathematics simplifies complex ideas, allowing for clear thought and fewer mental efforts.

Ernst Mach emphasizes that the strength of mathematics lies in its ability to streamline thought processes, minimizing unnecessary cognitive load while maximizing efficiency in problem-solving. This suggests that mathematics not only conveys essential truths but does so in a way that avoids complicating matters, thus freeing the mind for deeper understanding.

Themes

MathematicsThoughtEfficiencyClarityCognition

In practice

Example use cases

In a math class, a teacher could share this quote to highlight the elegance of mathematical solutions.

More from Ernst Mach

Bodies do not produce sensations, but complexes of elements (complexes of sensations) make up bodies.
Ernst MachRead
It would not become physical science to see in its self created, changeable, economical tools, molecules and atoms, realities behind phenomena... The atom must remain a tool for representing phenomena.
Ernst MachRead

Similar quotes

To consult the statistician after an experiment is finished is often merely to ask him to conduct a post mortem examination. He can perhaps say what the experiment died of.
Ronald FisherRead
No human investigation can be called real science if it cannot be demonstrated mathematically.
Leonardo Da VinciRead
It’s hard to build models of inflation that don't lead to a multiverse. It’s not impossible, so I think there’s still certainly research that needs to be done. But most models of inflation do lead to a multiverse, and evidence for inflation will be pushing us in the direction of taking [the idea of a] multiverse seriously.
Alan GuthRead
It is hard to look at the tumor and not come away with the feeling that one has encountered a powerful monster in its infancy
Siddhartha MukherjeeRead
Vegetation is really controlling what happens...whereas the emphasis in the climate models has always been on the atmosphere.
Freeman DysonRead
Water is commonly regarded as the 'solvent of life,' since our bodies are 70% water. All other vertebrates, invertebrates, microbes, and plants are also primarily water. The organization of water within biological compartments is fundamental to life, and the aquaporins serve as the plumbing systems for cells.
Peter AgreRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.