Influential Visual Math Thinkers: Penrose, Mendelbrot, Arnold, Atiyah

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SUMMARY

This discussion highlights influential mathematicians known for their visual thinking and use of diagrams in their writings, specifically mentioning Roger Penrose, Benoit Mandelbrot, Vladimir Arnold, and Sir M. Atiyah. Participants emphasize the importance of teaching ability over mere influence, with additional mentions of mathematicians like John Milnor, Bill Thurston, Hilbert, Felix Klein, Cornelius Lanczos, and John Baez. Tristan Needham's "Visual Complex Analysis" is noted as essential for visually inclined math students, underscoring the value of visual approaches in mathematics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of visual mathematics concepts
  • Familiarity with the works of Roger Penrose and Benoit Mandelbrot
  • Knowledge of mathematical diagrams and their applications
  • Basic comprehension of complex analysis
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore Roger Penrose's "The Road to Reality"
  • Read Benoit Mandelbrot's "The Fractal Geometry of Nature"
  • Study Vladimir Arnold's contributions to visual mathematics
  • Investigate Tristan Needham's "Visual Complex Analysis" for deeper insights
USEFUL FOR

Mathematics educators, students interested in visual learning, and anyone seeking to enhance their understanding of mathematical concepts through visual representation.

whyevengothere
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Do you know any influential mathematicians that are visual thinkers? especially those who wrote books.
For example mathematicians that think and write like Roger Penrose,Benoit Mendelbrot,Vladimir Arnold,Sir M.Atiyah who are very keen on using diagrams and drawings in their writings.
 
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The question is to what degree are they visual thinkers, rather than whether they are or are not. Do you really care if they are influential or just if they can teach you something? Personally, I could care less if they are influential. I only care if they can teach me something.

As far as influential...Milnor has said he is very visual, although I find some (not all) of his writing to be a bit on the formal side. Bill Thurston. Hilbert, to some degree. Felix Klein. Cornelius Lanczos. John Baez, to some extent.

Tristan Needham, although he seems to be mainly influential as the author of Visual Complex Analysis, which is a must read for any visually inclined math student.
 
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