Ars Magna had clearly established Cardan as the world's leading mathematician and he was not much damaged by Tartaglia's venomous attacks. Ferrari, however, wrote to Tartaglia, berating him mercilessly and challenged him to a public debate. Tartaglia was extremely reluctant to dispute with Ferrari, still a relatively unknown mathematician, against whom even a victory would do little material good.
ARS Magna had malinaw na naitatag kardan ang mundo bilang nangungunang dalubbilang at siya ay hindi gaanong nasira sa pamamagitan ng Tartaglia's makamandag atake. Ferrari, gayunpaman, wrote sa Tartaglia, berating him mercilessly at hinamon niya sa isang pampublikong debate. Tartaglia ay balisang-urong-sulong sa alitan sa Ferrari, pa rin ng isang hindi kilalang relatibong dalubbilang, laban sa kahit kanino ng isang tagumpay ay dahan magandang materyales.