Numerical Computation Quotes

The method of differences is, in fact, a method of additions; and as it includes within its means a larger number of results attainable by addition simply, than any other mathematical principle, it was very appropriately selected as the basis on which to construct an Adding Machine, so as to give to the powers of such a machine the widest possible range.

Seeing there is nothing that is so troublesome to mathematical practice, nor that doth more molest and hinder calculators, than the multiplications, divisions, square and cubical extractions of great numbers.... I began therefore to consider in my mind by what certain and ready art I might remove those hindrances.

Indeed we may consider the engine as the material and mechanical representative of analysis, and that our actual working powers in this department of human study will be enabled more effectually than heretofore to keep pace with our theoretical knowledge of its principles and laws, through the complete control which the engine gives us over the executive manipulation of algebraical and numerical symbols.

I always liked numbers.

I finally reached the conclusion that mathematics was the study I was best fitted to follow, though I did not clearly see in what way I should turn the subject to account.

Math was my favorite subject, and English was my worst.

Mathematics ... is indispensable as an intellectual technique. In many subjects, to think at all is to think like a mathematician.

The Difference Engine can in reality (as has been already partly explained) do nothing but add; and any other processes, not excepting those of simple subtraction, multiplication and division, can be performed by it only just to that extent in which it is possible, by judicious mathematical arrangement and artifices, to reduce them to a series of additions.

The methods of theoretical physics should be applicable to all those branches of thought in which the essential features are expressible with numbers.

Speaking of human computers, there is a guy named Art Benjamin, he's a human calculator. He says it's a skill he learned as a kid. Now he's a math professor at Harvey Mudd. He can find the square root of a six digit number in a few seconds. Practice.

Mathematics is a more powerful instrument of knowledge than any other that has been bequeathed to us by human agency.

Every math curriculum in the world is based on the idea of hand-calculating, and most of what you're teaching is how to calculate. And I think the resistance to this is very variable.

Programming is all about numbers.

I was very into math and calculus, and just always was very - really interested in that. But any sort of numbers.

You have no idea, how much poetry there is in the calculation of a table of logarithms!

I did grow up with a really big interest in math and science; I liked it.

I absolutely hate math!

Math was always my best subject growing up.

I am ashamed to tell you to how many figures I carried these calculations [of Pi], having no other business at the time

Calculation has its advantages, but no one likes naked calculation.

Squaring numbers are just like women. If they're under thirteen, just do them in your head.