Isreal Gelfand dies at age 96.

[Catherine]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/08/science/08gelfand.html?_r=1&ref=obituaries

 

I did not know the story of his life-it's fascinating. He was brilliant man. I knew him only because of his books in Algebra and Trigonometry.

[Kareni]

Thank you for sharing, Catherine. I particularly enjoyed the quote at the end of the obituary.

 

Regards,

Kareni

[Storm Bay]

I can't read it, because I'm not a NYT subscriber. What was that last quote?

[Jen500]

Thanks for the link.

[Jane in NC]

I can't read it, because I'm not a NYT subscriber. What was that last quote?

 

“Mathematics is a way of thinking in everyday life,†Dr. Gelfand said in a 2003 interview with The New York Times. “It is important not to separate mathematics from life. You can explain fractions even to heavy drinkers. If you ask them, ‘Which is larger, 2/3 or 3/5?’ it is likely they will not know. But if you ask, ‘Which is better, two bottles of vodka for three people, or three bottles of vodka for five people?’ they will answer you immediately. They will say two for three, of course.â€

 

Thanks Catherine for posting the link.

 

Jane

[Storm Bay]

“Mathematics is a way of thinking in everyday life,” Dr. Gelfand said in a 2003 interview with The New York Times. “It is important not to separate mathematics from life. You can explain fractions even to heavy drinkers. If you ask them, ‘Which is larger, 2/3 or 3/5?’ it is likely they will not know. But if you ask, ‘Which is better, two bottles of vodka for three people, or three bottles of vodka for five people?’ they will answer you immediately. They will say two for three, of course.”

 

Thanks Catherine for posting the link.

 

Jane

 

 

Thanks. That's a great quote. I'll wait and share it with dd once she finishes her Dressler proofs for the day. (Apparently, I'm cruel and merciless for having her do half the problems in this section, since the proofs are so long.)