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About this quote

What does it mean?
Gauss called number theory the 'Queen of Mathematics' and saw primes as the jewels in its crown.
In plain terms
Number theory is highly esteemed, with primes as its most prized elements.
What can you take from it?
Appreciate the central role of primes in mathematics.

Where it applies

  • teaching
  • research
  • public outreach

Putting it to work

  • highlight prime applications
  • celebrate number theory achievements

Questions to consider

  • Why does Gauss elevate number theory?
  • How do primes influence other areas?

Another view

Other fields also claim central importance.

More from Carl Friedrich Gauss

  1. When a philosopher says something that is true then it is trivial. When he says something that is not trivial then it is false.

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  2. Armed with his prime number tables, Gauss began his quest. As he looked at the proportion of numbers that were prime, he found that when he counted higher and …

    Permalink to quote #25
  3. The total number of Dirichlet's publications is not large: jewels are not weighed on a grocery scale.

    Permalink to quote #22

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