The New York Times Book of Mathematics
Gina Kolata
Introduction
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Some, not surprisingly, are just odd people, geniuses but eccentric almost beyond belief. That, at least, describes Paul Erdos, a Hungarian mathematician who had no home and no job. Other mathematicians invited him into their homes, feeding and housing him—and collaborating with him—until he moved on to another mathematician's home. He also took on the question that opens this book. Are mathematical truths discovered or invented?