Niels Henrik Abel

Mathematics Norwegian 1802 – 1829 450 quotes

Proved impossibility of solving quintic by radicals

Quotes by Niels Henrik Abel

Life's sum is greater than parts.

Metaphor

The Hahn-Banach theorem extends.

Extension theory

Persistence pays dividends.

Saying

The Stone-Weierstrass approximation.

Approximation

Wit: Proofs are like wine, age well.

Humor

Operator theory operates on spaces.

Operator ideas

Fulfillment in mathematical family.

Letter

The Riesz representation theorem.

Representation

Challenges met with resolve.

Correspondence

Genius is 1% inspiration, 99% perspiration.

Attributed (similar to Edison)

Spectral theory spectra colors.

Spectral work

Closing chapter with pride.

Last words 1829

Reflection: Work defines legacy.

Personal

The Leray spectral sequence.

Spectral sequence

Joke: Math errors are human.

Wit

Category theory categorizes.

Category precursor

Meaning in mathematical beauty.

Reflection

The Atiyah-Singer index theorem.

Index ideas

End with a theorem.

Final note 1829

It appears to me that if one wants to make progress in mathematics, one should study the masters and not the pupils.

Letter to Holmboe