Abstract
IN my younger days it was well recognised that such statements as “perfectly smooth” and the like were mere conventional phrases for designating an ideal state, of matter, which was assumed to exist for the purpose of simplifying the mathematical conditions as far as possible. Nobody can learn mathematics without working out a large number of problems and examples, and in order to make these sufficiently easy for the beginner, various fictitious hypotheses have to be introduced.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
BASSET, A. Fictitious Problems in Mathematics. Nature 72, 78 (1905). https://doi.org/10.1038/072078a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/072078a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.