Paul Lockhart said this quote

“ ... This is a major theme in mathematics: things are what you want them to be. You have endless choices; there is no reality to get in your way.On the other hand, once you have made your choices then your new creations do what they do, whether you like it or not. This is the amazing thing about making imaginary patterns: they talk back! ”

Famous Quotes of Paul Lockhart

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The thing I want you especially to understand is this feeling of divine revelation. I feel that this structure was out there all along I just couldn't see it. And now I can! This is really what keeps me in the math game-- the chance that I might glimpse some kind of secret underlying truth, some sort of message from the gods.

~ Paul Lockhart

No mathematician in the world would bother making these senseless distinctions: 2 1/2 is a mixed number while 5/2 is an improper fraction. They're EQUAL for crying out loud. They are the exact same numbers and have the exact same properties. Who uses such words outside of fourth grade?

~ Paul Lockhart

Mental acuity of any kind comes from solving problems yourself, not from being told how to solve them.

~ Paul Lockhart

A good problem is something you don't know how to solve. That's what makes it a good puzzle and a good opportunity.

~ Paul Lockhart