Paul Erdos

Date of Birth: March 26, 1913

Zodiac Sign: Aries

Date of Death: September 20, 1996

Biography

Paul Erdős was a renowned Hungarian mathematician, recognized for his prolific contributions to various fields of mathematics including number theory, combinatorics, and probability theory. Born on March 26, 1913, in Budapest, Hungary, Erdős demonstrated an extraordinary aptitude for mathematics from a young age. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Budapest in 1934 and spent his career traveling extensively, collaborating with mathematicians worldwide, and publishing over 1,500 papers. Erdős was known for his eccentric lifestyle, often living out of a suitcase and staying with colleagues. He had an insatiable passion for solving mathematical problems and was known for his ability to inspire others to contribute to mathematical research. Erdős introduced the concept of the “Erdős number,” a way of describing the “collaborative distance” between an author and himself based on joint publications. He passed away on September 20, 1996, in Warsaw, Poland, while attending a mathematics conference. Erdős’s legacy continues to influence the field of mathematics, and his collaborative spirit is celebrated in mathematical circles around the world.

5 Interesting Facts about Paul Erdos

1. Paul Erdős published over 1,500 mathematical papers, making him one of the most prolific mathematicians in history.

2. He introduced the concept of the Erdős number, which measures the “collaborative distance” between a mathematician and Erdős based on co-authorship of papers.

3. Erdős was known for his nomadic lifestyle, often traveling with just a suitcase and relying on the hospitality of fellow mathematicians.

4. He had a unique vocabulary, referring to children as “epsilons” (a small positive quantity in mathematics) and God as the “Supreme Fascist.”

5. Erdős was awarded numerous honors, including the Wolf Prize in Mathematics in 1983.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Paul Erdos

1. “A mathematician is a device for turning coffee into theorems.”

2. “My brain is open.”

3. “God may not play dice with the universe, but something strange is going on with the prime numbers.”

4. “Finally, I’m becoming stupider no more.”

5. “Mathematics is not yet ready for such problems.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Paul Erdős was not known for accumulating wealth; he lived a modest, itinerant lifestyle and often donated his monetary awards to others or used them to fund mathematical prizes.