I really believed that I was on the right track, but that did not mean that I would necessarily reach my goal

The definition of a good mathematical problem is the mathematics it generates rather than the problem itself.

I carried this problem around in my head basically the whole time. I would wake up with it first thing in the morning, I would be thinking about it all day, and I would be thinking about it when I went to sleep. Without distraction I would have the same thing going round and round in my mind.

I know it's a rare privilege, but if one can really tackle something in adult life that means that much to you, then it's more rewarding than anything I can imagine.

That particular odyssey is now over. My mind is now at rest.

I had this rare privilege of being able to pursue in my adult life, what had been my childhood dream.

I loved doing problems in school.