Chapter I. Introductory Remarks on the Nature and Objects of Mathematics.
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The Object of this Treatise is—(1) To point out to the student of Mathematics, who has not the advantage of a tutor, the course of study which it is most advisable that he should follow, the extent to which he should pursue one part of the science before he commences another, and to direct him as to the sort of applications which he should make. (2) To treat fully of the various points which involve difficulties and which are apt to be misunderstood by beginners, and to describe at length the nature without going into the routine of the operations.

— Augustus De Morgan

What It Means

This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "The Object of this Treatise is—(1) To point out to the student of Mathematics, who has not the advantage of a tutor, the course of study which it is most advisable that he should follow, the extent to which he should pursue one part of the science before he commences another, and to direct him as to the sort of applications which he should make. (2) To treat fully of the various points which involve difficulties and which are apt to be misunderstood by beginners, and to describe at length the nature without going into the routine of the operations." in the context of "Chapter I. Introductory Remarks on the Nature and Objects of Mathematics." to mean that wisdom is timeless.

Source: Wikiquote: "Augustus De Morgan" (Quotes, On the Study and Difficulties of Mathematics (1831): Sources: 1831, 1898) The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 18, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app
Augustus De Morgan

About Augustus De Morgan

Augustus De Morgan (June 27 1806 – March 18 1871) was an Indian-born British mathematician and logician; he was the first professor of mathematics at University College London. He formulated De Morgan's laws and was the first to introduce the term, and make rigorous the idea of mathematical induction. De Morgan crater on the Moon is named after him.