We need not think algebra is ended because it gives us rules to form all
possible combinations; it remains to find the interesting combinations,
those which satisfy such and such a condition. Thus will be formed a
sort of indeterminate analysis where the unknowns will no longer be
whole numbers, but polynomials. This time it is algebra which will model
itself upon arithmetic, following the analogy of the whole number to the
integral polynomial with any coefficients or to the integral polynomial
with integral coefficients.
GEOMETRY
It looks as if geometry could contain nothing which is not already
included in algebra or analysis; that geometric facts are only algebraic
or analytic facts expressed in another language. It might then be
thought that after our review there would remain nothing more for us to
say relating specially to geometry. This would be to fail to recognize
the importance of well-constructed language, not to comprehend what is
added to the things themselves by the method of expressing these things
and consequently of grouping them.
First the geometric considerations lead us to set ourselves new
problems; these may be, if you choose, analytic problems, but such as we
never would have set ourselves in connection with analysis. Analysis
profits by them however, as it profits by those it has to solve to
satisfy the needs of physics.
A great advantage of geometry lies in the fact that in it the senses can
come to the aid of thought, and help find the path to follow, and many
minds prefer to put the problems of analysis into geometric form.
Unhappily our senses can not carry us very far, and they desert us when
we wish to soar beyond the classical three dimensions. Does this mean
that, beyond the restricted domain wherein they seem to wish to imprison
us, we should rely only on pure analysis and that all geometry of more
than three dimensions is vain and objectless? The greatest masters of a
preceding generation would have answered 'yes'; to-day we are so
familiarized with this notion that we can speak of it, even in a
university course, without arousing too much astonishment.
But what good is it? That is easy to see: First it gives us a very
convenient terminology, which expresses concisely what the ordinary
analytic language would say in prolix phrases. Moreover, this language
makes us call like things by the same name and emphasize analogies it
will never again let us forget. It enables us therefore still to find
our way in this space which is too big for us and which we can not see,
always recalling visible space, which is only an imperfect image of it
doubtless, but which is nevertheless an image. Here again, as in all the
preceding examples, it is analogy with the simple which enables us to
comprehend the complex.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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