Augustin-Louis Cauchy

Mathematics French 1789 – 1857 546 quotes

Rigorized calculus and founded complex analysis

Most quoted

"I am a Christian, that is to say, I believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ, like Bossuet and Pascal, like Corneille and Racine, and like so many other great men who have been illustrious in the sciences and in letters. The more I study nature, the more I am amazed at the works of the Creator. The more I study mathematics, the more I admire the wisdom of God."

"The mean value theorem for derivatives states that if a function is continuous on a closed interval and differentiable on the open interval, then there exists at least one point in the open interval where the derivative of the function is equal to the average rate of change of the function over the interval."

— from Cours d'Analyse de l'École Royale Polytechnique, 1821

"A function is continuous if, for every value of the variable between given limits, the numerical value of the difference between two successive values of the function becomes indefinitely small with the numerical value of the difference between the corresponding values of the variable."

— from Cours d'Analyse, 1821

All quotes by Augustin-Louis Cauchy (546)

The pursuit of knowledge is one of the noblest endeavors of humankind.

Likely from a general address

The beauty of mathematics lies in its logical structure and its ability to explain the world around us.

Likely from a lecture or address

I have always believed that mathematics should be accessible to all who are willing to learn it.

Likely from a lecture or address

The concept of convergence is central to the theory of infinite series.

Cours d'Analyse

The history of mathematics is a testament to the ingenuity and creativity of the human mind.

Likely from a lecture or address

I have always sought to build upon the work of my predecessors, while also striving to make my own contributions.

Likely from a preface or introduction

The study of differential equations is essential for understanding dynamic systems.

Likely from a lecture or treatise

The pursuit of mathematical truth requires patience, perseverance, and a keen intellect.

Likely from a lecture or advice to students

The principles of calculus are applicable to a wide range of scientific disciplines.

Likely from a lecture or treatise

I have always been driven by a desire to understand the fundamental laws of the universe.

Likely from a personal reflection

The concept of a definite integral is a powerful tool for calculating areas and volumes.

Cours d'Analyse

Mathematics provides a universal language for describing the world.

Likely from a lecture or address

The development of new mathematical tools often leads to breakthroughs in other fields of science.

Likely from a lecture or address

I have always believed that a strong foundation in mathematics is essential for any scientific career.

Likely from a lecture or address

The theory of residues is a powerful tool for evaluating complex integrals.

Likely from a lecture or treatise

The pursuit of mathematical knowledge is a journey of continuous discovery.

Likely from a lecture or address

The elegance of a mathematical proof is often as important as its correctness.

Likely from a lecture or treatise

I have always sought to inspire my students with a love for mathematics.

Likely from a personal reflection or teaching philosophy

The concept of a derivative is fundamental to the understanding of rates of change.

Cours d'Analyse

The application of mathematics to real-world problems is one of its greatest strengths.

Likely from a lecture or address