The general solution of the cubic equation was accomplished for the first time l

Question

The general solution of the cubic equation was accomplished for the first time largely without the aid of sophisticated mathematical symbolism. lt has been suggested that Tartaglia and his contemporaries, accustomed as they were to doing mathematics in language, may have had "different brains" from ours. To what extent do you think your own "brain" has been shaped by the use of symbolism? How much mathematics do you think it would be possible for you to do without the use of symbolism, and how much of your own mathematical thinking relies on the use of language?

Explanation / Answer

Answer: Symbolism is useful while doing technical calculations, as it makes the calculations part easier to handle. Nevertheless, many geometrical problems can be understood and solved intuitively. It can happen that writing mathematical intuitive thoughts are beyond the strength of the language or symbolism. And symbolism and use of language may not be much help in understanding and visualizing the key mathematical concept or idea of the problem.

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