The problem of distinguishing prime numb... by Carl Friedrich Gauss

Astronomy Arithmetic Mathematician physicist Number Theory

The problem of distinguishing prime numbers from composite numbers and of resolving the latter into their prime factors is known to be one of the most important and useful in arithmetic.

- Carl Friedrich Gauss

Other quotes by Carl Friedrich Gauss

God

God does arithmetic.

- Carl Friedrich Gauss

Darkness

When I have clarified and exhausted a subject, then I turn away from it, in order to go into darkness again.

- Carl Friedrich Gauss

Occupation

To such idle talk it might further be added: that whenever a certain exclusive occupation is coupled with specific shortcomings, it is likewise almost certainly divorced from certain other shortcomings.

- Carl Friedrich Gauss

Content Past Mind Work Years

To praise it would amount to praising myself. For the entire content of the work... coincides almost exactly with my own meditations which have occupied my mind for the past thirty or thirty-five years.

- Carl Friedrich Gauss

Humility

We must admit with humility that, while number is purely a product of our minds, space has a reality outside our minds, so that we cannot completely prescribe its properties a priori.

- Carl Friedrich Gauss

Science

The enchanting charms of this sublime science reveal only to those who have the courage to go deeply into it.

- Carl Friedrich Gauss

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