1,594 books
—
866 voters
“But that would mean it was originally a sideways number eight. That makes no sense at all. Unless..." She paused as understanding dawned. "You think it was the symbol for infinity?"
"Yes, but not the usual one. A special variant. Do you see how one line doesn't fully connect in the middle? That's Euler's infinity symbol. Absolutus infinitus."
"How is it different from the usual one?"
"Back in the eighteenth century, there were certain mathematical calculations no one could perform because they involved series of infinite numbers. The problem with infinity, of course, is that you can't come up with a final answer when the numbers keep increasing forever. But a mathematician named Leonhard Euler found a way to treat infinity as if it were a finite number- and that allowed him to do things in mathematical analysis that had never been done before." Tom inclined his head toward the date stone. "My guess is whoever chiseled that symbol was a mathematician or scientist."
"If it were my date stone," Cassandra said dryly, "I'd prefer the entwined hearts. At least I would understand what it means."
"No, this is much better than hearts," Tom exclaimed, his expression more earnest than any she'd seen from him before. "Linking their names with Euler's infinity symbol means..." He paused, considering how best to explain it. "The two of them formed a complete unit... a togetherness... that contained infinity. Their marriage had a beginning and end, but every day of it was filled with forever. It's a beautiful concept." He paused before adding awkwardly, "Mathematically speaking.”
― Chasing Cassandra
"Yes, but not the usual one. A special variant. Do you see how one line doesn't fully connect in the middle? That's Euler's infinity symbol. Absolutus infinitus."
"How is it different from the usual one?"
"Back in the eighteenth century, there were certain mathematical calculations no one could perform because they involved series of infinite numbers. The problem with infinity, of course, is that you can't come up with a final answer when the numbers keep increasing forever. But a mathematician named Leonhard Euler found a way to treat infinity as if it were a finite number- and that allowed him to do things in mathematical analysis that had never been done before." Tom inclined his head toward the date stone. "My guess is whoever chiseled that symbol was a mathematician or scientist."
"If it were my date stone," Cassandra said dryly, "I'd prefer the entwined hearts. At least I would understand what it means."
"No, this is much better than hearts," Tom exclaimed, his expression more earnest than any she'd seen from him before. "Linking their names with Euler's infinity symbol means..." He paused, considering how best to explain it. "The two of them formed a complete unit... a togetherness... that contained infinity. Their marriage had a beginning and end, but every day of it was filled with forever. It's a beautiful concept." He paused before adding awkwardly, "Mathematically speaking.”
― Chasing Cassandra
“My goodness, do you take everything so literally?” “I’m an engineer,”
― Chasing Cassandra
― Chasing Cassandra
“Since Love is a greased pig wasn't a particularly dignified motto, she decided the Latin translation was more elegant: Amor est uncta porcus.”
― Chasing Cassandra
― Chasing Cassandra
“A bemused smile crossed Cassandra's face as she saw Tom Severin kneeling on the floor with his thighs spread for balance, a steel pipe cutter in one hand. In contrast to his earlier polished elegance, he was in shirtsleeves with the cuffs rolled up over his forearms and the collar unfastened. A well-formed man, wide-shouldered and long in the bone. He was steaming in the residual heat from the range, the cropped hair at the back of his neck damp with sweat, the fine linen of his shirt clinging to a hard-muscled back.
Well. This was an eye-opener, in more ways than one.”
― Chasing Cassandra
Well. This was an eye-opener, in more ways than one.”
― Chasing Cassandra
The Not-So Austen Bookclub
— 1036 members
— last activity Aug 23, 2024 12:55PM
**Currently on hiatus for 2016** Share your obsession. Spread the magic. Read books, discuss books and love books! The Not-So Austen Bookclub is a ...more
We Love Lisa Kleypas
— 1880 members
— last activity Sep 27, 2024 07:26AM
Click the pic to get to the July 2018 Group Challenge.
All Things Rick Riordan Discussions
— 1155 members
— last activity Aug 07, 2022 03:20PM
Ever get tired of trying to keep up with all of Rick Riordan's books' new releases? Ever feel too lazy to search the internet for them? Have no fear, ...more
Book Boyfriends
— 1499 members
— last activity Oct 09, 2025 06:16AM
We now have a group to have our discussions or fights over our book boyfriends. Loving fictional boys since December 19, 2011.
Camp Half-Blood
— 92 members
— last activity Dec 12, 2019 07:26AM
A group for Percy Jackson fans to come and chat with friends and participate in discussions.
AJ’s 2025 Year in Books
Take a look at AJ’s Year in Books, including some fun facts about their reading.
More friends…
Favorite Genres
Polls voted on by AJ
Lists liked by AJ






















































