Famous science/mathematical related quotes

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the search for famous science and mathematical quotes, particularly one that emphasizes the importance of expressing understanding numerically. Participants share various quotes and engage in a dialogue about their origins and meanings.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Nick is searching for a specific quote related to understanding through numerical expression, believed to be from Newton or Kelvin.
  • Tiny-tim suggests a quote from Galileo about the necessity of understanding mathematics to comprehend science.
  • Dave shares a personal favorite saying, "Mathematics is the language of science," without a specific origin.
  • Nick expresses uncertainty about whether the quote he seeks actually exists, considering the possibility that he may have imagined it.
  • A participant shares a humorous quote attributed to von Neumann regarding fitting models with parameters, noting its use in a personal context.
  • Another quote attributed to Einstein is mentioned, highlighting the distinction between what can be counted and what truly matters, though its relevance to Nick's search is questioned.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the specific quote Nick is seeking, and multiple competing quotes are presented without resolution on which is the correct one.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes various attributions and interpretations of quotes, with some participants expressing uncertainty about the origins and meanings of the quotes shared.

Purcell7
Hello all,

I've been looking for a quote that I heard a while back that I want to use, I've searched as much as possible but I'm unable to find it!

The quote is along the lines of 'to fully understand something one must be able to express it numerically', i was certain it was a quote from either Newton or Kelvin but have had no luck finding the exact quote.

A link to, or the quote itself would be really appreciated.

thanks

Nick

p.s. sorry if this is in the wrongs section, couldn't decide were to put it.
 
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Welcome to PF!

Hello Nick! Welcome to PF! :smile:

Are you thinking of Galileo's quote? …

Science is written in this greatest book (I mean this whole universe) which stays open for us ceaselessly before our eyes: but no-one can understand it if he does not first learn to understand the language and the letters in which it is written.
The book is written in the language of mathematics, whose letters are triangles, circles, and other geometric figures, and he who does not understand these letters is helpless to truly understand a single word that he sees.​
… GALILEO GALILEI, Saggiatore (Opere VI)​
 
Hey Tiny-tim

Nice quote, haven't seen that one before

my fave saying, i don't know if it has a specific origin tho...
simply...

Mathematics is the language of science

cheers
Dave
 
Hi Tiny Tim, thanks for the reply. Although that is a great quote it wasn't the one I'm thinking of. I've trawled through google but can't find it, starting to wonder if I've just made it up... but then again it was a really good quote so I doubt it!

I'll keep on having a look and report back if I find it.

Thanks for your help

Nick
 
"With four parameters I can fit an elephant, and with five I can make him wiggle his trunk."
- Attributed to von Neumann by Enrico Fermi, as quoted by Freeman Dyson in "A meeting with Enrico Fermi" in Nature 427 (22 January 2004) p. 297

I use it to annoy my friend who is writing a model for neutron stars with 4 free parameters.
 
"Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts."

This quote is usually attributed to Einstein, but it's also attributed to a sign on the wall of Einstein's office. Sort of an appropriate twist to the story of this quote.

Alas, the probability that this was the quote you had in mind may not be particularly high. :frown:
 
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