Purely mathematical theories can gain unforeseen practical applications

Evidence

No one foresaw the applications of matrices and groups and other purely mathematical theories to modern physics, and it may be that some of the ‘highbrow’ applied mathematics will become ‘useful’ in as unexpected a way — G. H. Hardy, A Mathematician’s Apology, 265

Categorization

• QUESTION: Worth chasing: which specific matrices/groups applications did physicists later exploit, and on what timeline?
• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — G. H. Hardy, A Mathematician’s Apology, 265
• XREF: connects to: Pure mathematics proves more useful than applied mathematics — G. H. Hardy, A Mathematician’s Apology, 269; Applied mathematicians must discard their finest ideas for failing to match reality — G. H. Hardy, A Mathematician’s Apology, 270; Social relations can be analyzed purely as formal configurations — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 208 (+2 more)

Library Connections

• Applied mathematicians must discard their finest ideas for failing to match reality #complicates (0.60) — G. H. Hardy, A Mathematician’s Apology, 270

Broader Connections

• Social relations can be analyzed purely as formal configurations #expands (0.72) — Georg Simmel, on individuality and social forms_…, 208
• Pure mathematics proves more useful than applied mathematics #expands (0.70) — G. H. Hardy, A Mathematician’s Apology, 269