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There are, roughly speaking, two kinds of mathematical creativity. One, akin to conquering a mountain peak, consists of solving a problem which has remained unsolved for a long time and has commanded the attention of many mathematicians. The other is exploring new territory.

— Mark Kac Enigmas Of Chance (1985)

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More quotes by Mark Kac

I then reached for a time honored tactic used by mathematicians: if you can't solve the real problem, change it into one you can solve.

Enigmas Of Chance (1985)

Actually, my solution generated considerable further work and the "dog-flea" model keeps cropping up from time to time in unexpected contexts.

Enigmas Of Chance (1985)

Independence is the central concept of probability theory and few would believe today that understanding what it meant was ever a problem.

Enigmas Of Chance (1985)

Where there is independence there must be the normal law.

Enigmas Of Chance (1985)

I prefer concrete things and I don't like to learn more about abstract stuff than I absolutely have to.

Enigmas Of Chance (1985)

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Quote text and notes from Wikiquote: Mark Kac (page history), available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source quality and labels are our own summary of what Wikiquote records.