A life of nomadic collaborations
Undoubtedly an exceptional mathematician, Erdős had a life that one can certainly describe as "original", entirely devoted to mathematical problems. In permanent transit, from city to city, from conference to seminar, with a suitcase in hand and a theorem in each house, he thus established very many collaborations. His atypical behavior gave rise to many anecdotes, not always authentic. Gérald Tenenbaum, who was one of his co-authors, testifies to an experience sometimes disconcerting but always pleasant and enriching.
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Editorial: Paul Erdős, catalyst of mathematics | Tangente
Paul Erdős posed or solved hundreds of problems in almost every field. He was nicknamed "the prince of problem solvers and the absolute monarch of problem posers" by Ernst Straus, one of his colleagues.
Erdős's language: expressions and humor | Tangente
One of Erdős's quirks was his highly distinctive vocabulary, which offers a humorous glimpse of how he viewed those around him.
An iconic photograph
The famous photograph of Paul Erdős and Terence Tao deep in thought has become an iconic image in the recent history of mathematics. But what were these two extraordinary minds thinking about at that moment?
More than 600 problems still open
Throughout his life, in papers written either alone or with collaborators, Erdős posed a great many problems. He solved some of them—but far from all.
To exist is to do mathematics — Erdős | Tangente
Pál Erdős (1913-1996) is renowned for his eccentric behavior, but above all for the brilliance of his ideas. His ingenious methods, off the beaten track, his countless publications, and his constant wandering built the image of a legendary scholar.
Paul Erdős: Biographies and a film | Tangente
Two books in particular, both published in 1998, offer a glimpse into Erdős's life through anecdotes and accounts by other mathematicians.
Erdős and old age — humor and self-mockery | Tangente
A few years before turning sixty, Erdős began adding strange initials to his signature as a reminder of the passage of time.
The weaver mathematician — the Erdős number | Tangente
Fostering mathematical collaboration like no one else at a time when doing so was not as easy as it is today, Paul Erdős prompted a new way of looking at publications: first as a marker of ties to him, then as a subject of study in its own right.
Collaborating with Paul Erdős — Tenenbaum's Account | Tangente
Much of Paul Erdős's work was carried out jointly with others. Gérald Tenenbaum, one of the French mathematicians who collaborated with him, agreed to discuss the methods of this unconventional mathematician.
Friends to count on — Graham, Chung and Erdős | Tangente
The married mathematicians Fan Chung and Ronald Graham were among Paul Erdős's closest friends. They took care of some of the practical aspects of Erdős's itinerant life.
The great book of problems
The "Book" was a project of Erdős's to bring together the most beautiful known mathematical proofs, several of which had been found by Erdős himself. Although he died shortly before the project was completed, the work was nonetheless published, authored by Aigner and Ziegler. Its successive new editions keep the flame alive.
