History
The gamma function has caught the interest of some of the most prominent mathematicians of all time. Its history, notably documented by Philip J. Davis in an article that won him the 1963 Chauvenet Prize, reflects many of the major developments within mathematics since the 18th century. In the words of Davis, "each generation has found something of interest to say about the gamma function. Perhaps the next generation will also."
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Famous quotes containing the word history:
“In history an additional result is commonly produced by human actions beyond that which they aim at and obtainthat which they immediately recognize and desire. They gratify their own interest; but something further is thereby accomplished, latent in the actions in question, though not present to their consciousness, and not included in their design.”
—Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (17701831)
“There is no history of how bad became better.”
—Henry David Thoreau (18171862)
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—Karl Marx (18181883)