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Mathematics is not about numbers, equations, computations, or algorithms: it is about understanding.
William Thurston
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William Thurston
Age: 65 †
Born: 1946
Born: October 30
Died: 2012
Died: August 21
Mathematician
Topologist
University Teacher
Washington
District of Columbia
William Paul Thurston
Computations
Computation
Algorithms
Equations
Mathematics
Numbers
Understanding
Science
More quotes by William Thurston
As one reads mathematics, one needs to have an active mind, asking questions, forming mental connections between the current topic and other ideas from other contexts, so as to develop a sense of the structure, not just familiarity with a particular tour through the structure.
William Thurston
You don't see what you're seeing until you see it but when you do see it, it lets you see many other things.
William Thurston
The real satisfaction from mathematics is in learning from others and sharing with others.
William Thurston
Experience has shown repeatedly that a mathematical theory with a rich internal structure generally turns out to have significant implications for the understanding of the real world, often in ways no one could have envisioned before the theory was developed.
William Thurston
Math is really about the human mind, about how people can think effectively, and why curiosity is quite a good guide.
William Thurston
Mathematics is an art of human understanding.
William Thurston
Mathematics is much less formally complete and precise than computer programs.
William Thurston
The product of mathematics is clarity and understanding. Not theorems, by themselves. ... In short, mathematics only exists in a living community of mathematicians that spreads understanding and breathes life into ideas both old and new.
William Thurston