Mathematics is a fascinating field of study which deals with numbers, logic, space transformations and other ideas related to these concepts. Several scientists and researchers have dedicated themselves for the quest of knowledge in the field of Mathematics. Let us look at some of notable examples from this esteemed group.
Isaac Newton
Sir Isaac Newton is known for several achievements in the fields of Science, astronomy and Mathematics. He was a physicist, astronomer, theologian, philosopher and Mathematician. In the field of Mathematics, Sir Isaac Newton shares the distinction of developing differential and integral calculus with Gottfried Leibniz. He also developed his own method to approximate the roots of a function and made his contribution to the study of the power series. Some of his important works include:
- Principia
- Methods of Fluxions
- Opticks
Pythagoras
Best known for his famous Pythagorean theorem, Pythagoras is remembered for his contributions in the fields of religion and philosophy. He is also respected and revered for his influence as a Mathematician and scientist. The Pythagorean theorem states that in a right angle triangle, the square of the side opposite to the right angle (hypotenuse) is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides of the triangle. It is fascinating to study how Pythagoras applied Mathematical theory to music. He noticed that the vibrating strings of an instrument produced harmonious sounds when the ratios of the strings lengths were whole numbers. He extended the same application of Mathematical equations to try and explain celestial movements also.
Euclid
Euclid was a Greek Mathematician who holds the credit for authoring several monumental works in the field of Mathematics. He is even described as the ‘Father of Geometry’ in honor of his significant contributions. One of his most significant works is the Elements. This work is said to have influenced the learning of Mathematics for several centuries. This book is a geometric treatise that contains 13 books. The first six are about plane geometry. Books VII to IX are concerned with number theory and book X deals with Eudoxus’s theory of irrational numbers. The other books are about solid geometry. The final part focuses on the properties of five regular polyhedrons. Other works of Euclid include:
- Optics
- Data
- Phaenomena
- On Divisions of Figures
Archimedes
Born in Syracuse, Archimedes was an inventor, physicist, astronomer, engineer as well as mathematician. His contributions to various fields have been regarded as priceless. Archimedes is considered to be one of the greatest mathematicians of ancient times. His major contributions in the field of Mathematics include:
- discovered the accurate approximation of pi
- discovered a unique system for expressing very large numbers
- discovered how to calculate the volumes of surfaces of revolution
- defined the Archimedes spiral in his book titled On Spirals
- defined how to calculate the area under the arc of a parabola
- It is also believed that Archimedes was the person who discovered integral calculus, well before Leibniz and Newton
- He also made significant contributions in the study of geometry
Some of Archimedes’ famous works include:
- On Spirals
- On Conoids and Spheroids
- The Sand Reckoner
- Quadrature of the Parabola
It is interesting to note that even the inscription on Archimedes’ gravestone deals with one of his pivotal contributions to the field of mathematics. It contains a cylinder enclosing a sphere, along with the ratio of the volume of cylinder to that of the sphere.
Blaise Pascal
Blaise Pascal was a French inventor, writer, physicist and mathematician. This child prodigy invented the first mechanical calculator. He is well-known for his contributions to geometry. In his Treatise on Arithmetical Triangle, Blaise Pascal described a method to present binomial coefficients in what is known today as Pascal’s triangle. Aside from his contribution to math, Pascal was also renowned for his inventions and work on hydrostatics.
Carl Friedrich Gauss
Carl Friedrich Gauss was a German scientist and Mathematician. A child prodigy like Blaise Pascal, Gauss’s contribution to Mathematics has been so pivotal that he is often described as the ‘Prince of Mathematicians’ . His magnum opus, Disquistiones Arithmeticae was written by him when he was a teenager. It dealt with number theory and till date, this work has continued to exercise a great influence on the study of this topic. He is known for devising the least-squared method during his college days. He also uncovered the basic theorem of quadratic residues as it relates to the congruence concept for number theory. In 1796, Gauss proved it was possible to make a 17-sided regular polygon by using a compass and ruler. He was also responsible for providing evidence for the fundamental theorem of algebra.
C P Ramanujam
C P Ramanujam is well-known for his contributions in the field of number theory and algebraic geometry. One of his important contributions was towards the development of a version of the Kodaira vanishing theorem.
These are just some of the most famous mathematicians in the history of Mathematics. They are still remembered and respected all over the world for their invaluable contributions towards the study of mathematics.