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)

Life: Legacy through students.

Thought 1850

Joke: Infinite jest in series.

Remark 1825

Key passage: Integral theorems.

Mémoire 1825

Politics: Order for progress.

Opinion 1830

Saying: Foundations first.

Aphorism 1821

Speech: Role of academies.

Address 1845

Field: Abstract algebra roots.

Work 1815

Meaning: Divine purpose in math.

Reflection 1840

Humor: Pi is irrational, like debates.

Quip 1830

Science: Celestial mechanics advances.

Note 1840

Philosophy: Logic's purity.

View 1820

Wisdom: Humility in discovery.

Advice 1850

Art: Harmony in math.

Essay 1835

Excerpt: On friendship.

Letter 1825

Life: Cherish simple joys.

Note 1845

Comeback: Proofs silence doubters.

Reply 1830

Passage: Function theory.

Cours 1821

Politics: Unity in diversity.

View 1830

Aphorism: Truth endures.

Last saying 1857

Interview: Legacy thoughts.

Talk 1855