> I have to say that history is valuable in mathematics because it explains why people are interested in certain problems.
Motivation is essential, but there are motivations other than the ones that historically lead to the creation of the field.
In number theory, one of my favorite examples, the motivations that lead people to be interested in it now come from modern cryptography, which flatly didn't exist when the field was founded but provides more interesting and relevant examples than the obsessions of century-old mathematicians.
Motivation is essential, but there are motivations other than the ones that historically lead to the creation of the field.
In number theory, one of my favorite examples, the motivations that lead people to be interested in it now come from modern cryptography, which flatly didn't exist when the field was founded but provides more interesting and relevant examples than the obsessions of century-old mathematicians.