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Quote#Science & Reason

In treating of the practical application of scientific principles, an…

Quote byWilliam John Macquorn Rankine · 1820–1872

Commonly attributed — not confirmed in an authoritative edition. Cited on Wikiquote to: "On the Harmony of Theory and Practice in Mechanics" (Jan. 3, 1856).

English (original)

In treating of the practical application of scientific principles, an algebraical formula should only be employed when its shortness and simplicity are such as to render it a clearer expression of a proposition or rule than common language would be, and when there is no difficulty in keeping the thing represented by each symbol constantly before the mind.

— William John Macquorn Rankine

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