His first mathematics paper, written jointly with Fekete the assistant at the University of Budapest who had been tutoring him, was published in 1922. However Max Neumann did not want his son to take up a subject that would not bring him wealth. Max Neumann asked Theodore von Kármán to speak to his son and persuade him to follow a career in business.
Kanyang unang matematika papel, nakasulat na sama-sama sa Fekete ang assistant sa University of Budapest na had been tutoring sa kanya, ay nai-publish sa 1922. Subalit Max Neumann hindi gusto ng kanyang anak na tumagal ng isang paksa na hindi magdala ng kanya na yaman. Max Neumann nagtanong Theodore von Kármán upang makipag-usap sa kanyang anak na amuki at sa kanya upang sundin ng isang karera sa negosyo.