Courses The math level of computer scientists and physicists

[FactChecker]

Actually he wasn't - he was downright sloppy - competent - but excellent - no. In later years he hired assistants to do that tiresome stuff.

Compare him to an actually great mathematician like Von-Neumann and he was way ahead.

That's harsh. If we compare everyone with geniuses, then no one was excellent except Gauss.

 

[bhobba]

That's harsh. If we compare everyone with geniuses, then no one was excellent except Gauss.

Maybe - but I think people get he gist.

How true is it - make your own mind up - see the following:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0393337685/?tag=pfamazon01-20

Thanks
Bill

 

[StoneTemplePython]

Maybe - but I think people get he gist.

How true is it - make your own mind up - see the following:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/0393337685/?tag=pfamazon01-20

Thanks
Bill

I think having von Neumann as your bar is too high -- he was at once brilliant in pure and applied mathematics and fast. Outside of Olympiad settings its not at all clear that being so fast matters that much. (Gowers has written about this, I can dredge something up a link.)

Einstein's Mistakes is a really enjoyable book (though people should be aware that the author, a physicist, takes cheap shots at engineers from time to time).

 

[bhobba]

he was at once brilliant in pure and applied mathematics

Its not his speed that made him great - it was his ability to penetrate a problem. For example he solved many of the problems on the atomic bomb project such as using a conventional bomb around the atomic material to reach critical mass and hold it there long enough for explosive fission to occur. Natuarally that's just one of many things eg he practically invented game theory.

But yes he was so fast it was said he was the only person fully awake.

Thanks
Bill