Math Help Forum - View Single Post - 18th century questions in the 21st century

Sampras · #21 June 25th, 2009, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr fantastic

There was a time, not that long ago, when the study of prime numbers was seen as pretty useless from a commercial application and benefit point of view ....

(The British mathematician G. H. Hardy (http://www.robertnowlan.com/pdfs/Har...y%20Harold.pdf) remarked:

"Nothing I have ever done is of the slightest practical use."

"No discovery of mine has made, or is likely to make, for good or ill, the least difference to the amenity of the world."

Of interest: prime numbers | How the Queen of Sciences is put to work )

In my opinion, I think it is at least beneficial to try and think of an application of what you are doing. For example, Hardy didn't know that prime numbers would be so useful (now its used in cryptology and by banks). So it's good to think of some practical aspects of pure subjects in combination with beauty. That way it has some influence (however little) on society.