In the ensuing period of critical revision they were simply rejected. Then came a time when it was found that something after all could be done about them. This is now a matter of course, but in the early years of the past century the subject, while in no way mystical or unrigorous, was regarded as sensational, and about the term "divergent series", now colourless, there hung an aroma of paradox and audacity.
Thursday, 10 November 2011
Invention of the devil...? No.
Abel wrote in 1828 : "Divergent series are the invention of the devil, and it is shameful to base on them any demonstration whatsoever".
In the ensuing period of critical revision they were simply rejected. Then came a time when it was found that something after all could be done about them. This is now a matter of course, but in the early years of the past century the subject, while in no way mystical or unrigorous, was regarded as sensational, and about the term "divergent series", now colourless, there hung an aroma of paradox and audacity.
In the ensuing period of critical revision they were simply rejected. Then came a time when it was found that something after all could be done about them. This is now a matter of course, but in the early years of the past century the subject, while in no way mystical or unrigorous, was regarded as sensational, and about the term "divergent series", now colourless, there hung an aroma of paradox and audacity.
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