“was explaining to an actuary what was the chance that a certain proportion of some group of people would at the end of a given time be alive; and quoted the actuarial formula, involving p [pi], which, in answer to a question, he explained stood for the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. His acquaintance, who had so far listened to the explanation with interest, interrupted him and exclaimed, '?””
Quotes by W. W. Rouse Ball
“… gave the name to the [] Analytical Society, which he stated was formed to advocate '.””
“For other great mathematicians or philosophers, used the epithets magnus, or clarus, or clarissimus; for alone he kept the prefix summus.””
“The great masters of modern analysis are , , and , who were contemporaries. It is interesting to note the marked contrast in their styles. is perfect both in form and matter, he is careful to explain his procedure, and though his arguments are general they are easy to follow. on the other hand explains nothing, is indifferent to style, and, if satisfied that his results are correct, is content to leave them either with no proof or with a faulty one. is as exact and elegant as , but even more difficult to follow than , for he removes every trace of the analysis by which he reached his results, and studies to give a proof which while rigorous shall be as concise and synthetical as possible.””
W. W. Rouse BallW. W. Rouse Ball was a British mathematician and lawyer, best known for his contributions to the field of mathematics and his passion for magic. He served as a fellow at Trinity College, Cambridge, fr...