The Singular Mind of Terry Tao

Post by shriphani » Sat, Jul 25, 2015, 7:49 AM UTC

jacobolus wrote: post #30

solidangle wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I used Tao's books on Real Analysis during college and my feelings are mixed on his capabilities as an educator. On the one hand his books were really great as he gave a lot of proofs (although most proofs were still left to the reader, but I guess that you can't really learn Analysis without proving Rolle's Theorem or the First Theorem of Calculus on your own) and what I also really liked was that he made no assumpt…

For anyone looking for a Real Analysis textbook, I’ve heard several recommendations for Pugh as an alternative to Rudin.

I used Abbott in college. The best math textbook I've ever read.

Post by zpconn » Sun, Jul 26, 2015, 4:41 AM UTC

shas3 wrote: post #15

nilkn wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

While I very much agree with the point you're making here, I don't known if Witten (assuming you mean Edward Witten, of string theory fame) and Einstein were the best choices. Einstein basically is THE stereotype of the aloof genius.

> Einstein basically is THE stereotype of the aloof genius. 'Aloof' is a subjective term and you are entitled to judge him that way if you want to. I'll assume, 'aloofness' to mean that his thinking was confined to his work and that he lived by himself without much contact with the outside world (a la Pearlman). The reality may have been the exact opposite of this, if you look at his biography. My main source is Walt…

I don't think popular culture is on your side. Even Time Magazine's biography of him describes him as aloof:

http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,993017,...

Re: The Singular Mind of Terry Tao

Re: The Singular Mind of Terry Tao