Abstract— This paper is on the Swiss astronomer, physicist, engineer and mathematician Leonhard Euler. Euler made fundamental contributions to the world of mathematics and science. His mathematical studies range from analytic geometry, infinitesimal calculus, graph theory and topology. He introduced many of the notations one uses in today’s modern mathematics. This paper will focus on Leonhard Euler’s life and some of his scientific and mathematical works.
Index Terms—Calculus, Geometry, Leonhard Euler, Number Theory.
Introduction
Leonhard Euler was a Swiss physicist, astronomer and mathematician. Euler is one of the greatest mathematicians of the 18th century. He made great contributions to many areas of mathematics such as geometry,
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Two of his most famous works are Introductio in analysin infinitorum, a text on functions, and Institutiones calculi differentialis on differential calculus [3].
In 1766, Euler returned to Russia and after an illness, he became entirely blind. Euler had a remarkable memory that he was able to continue with his work on optics, algebra, and lunar motion [5]. By the age of 59, Euler had produced half of his total work despite being blind. Leonhard Euler suffered a brain hemorrhage and died at the age of 76, on September 18, 1783. Fifty years after Euler’s death his work was still being published by the St. Petersburg Academy.
Number Theory
Euler became interested in Number Theory thanks to his friend Christian Goldbach in the St. Petersburg Academy. Euler’s work in number theory included topics such as the study of perfect numbers, the quadratic reciprocity law, the so-called Pell equation, and Fermat’s Last Theorem, to name just a few [1].
In 1735, Euler proved that the sum of the reciprocals of the primes diverges. This problem was known as the Basel problem and Euler’s colleagues, the Bernoulli’s, had attempted the problem but failed to solve it. He also showed that the infinite series was equivalent to an infinite product of prime numbers, an identity that would later inspire Riemann’s investigation of complex Zeta functions [4].
In the upcoming years, Euler developed Euler’s Theorem also known as Fermat-Euler Theorem based on the
There was an unexpected explosion in the math and science world in the 17th century across Europe, known as the Age of Reasoning. Scientists such as Galileo, Brahe and Kepler continued to increase our knowledge on mathematics and science, especially the solar system which led to Kepler’s laws of planetary motion. Isaac Newton also discovered the laws of physics explaining Kepler’s Laws, and brought together the concepts now known as calculus. The invention of the logarithm by John Napier contributed to the advances of science and astronomy and was one of the most significant developments of this time. Rene Descartes development of analytical geometry and Cartesian coordinates allowed the orbits of the planets to be plotted. Other mathematicians such as Fermat and Pascal formulated theorems which extended our knowledge on number theory. Pascal is most famous for his Pascal triangle even though similar figures had been done by the Chinese and Persian mathematicians before him. Newton and Leibniz revolutionized mathematics by developing infinitesimal calculus. Much more credit should be given to many other mathematicians at this time, but as said before, this was a time of severe increase in mathematics and these are only a few of the most important discoveries. (15)
David Hilbert was a German mathematician whose research and study of geometry, physics, and algebra revolutionized mathematics and went on to introduce the mathematic and scientific community with a series of mathematical equations that have yet to be solved. Furthermore, his study of mathematics laid the groundwork for a variety of ongoing mathematic analyses, which continue to influence the world today.
Modular Arithmetic has a connection to the history of the clock. From research, we came
René Descartes was born on 31 March 1596 in La Haye, France; a city which was later renamed as “Descartes” in his honor. his early life was not well documented until 1960, but it is known that he was familiar with mathematics and philosophy (Hatfield). Sometimes described as “The Father of Modern Philosophy”, not only considered a great philosopher, but also a great mathematician, contributed greatly for both areas – Cartesian geometry, for instance, was named in his honor (Norman 19). In his Meditations, Descartes uses a causal argumentation to prove the existence of a perfect being, who he considers to be God; these conclusions are controversial, since problems can be found in the arguments used (Hartfield). Based on the arguments used to draw his conclusions, this essay is going to discuss some apparent flaws in Descartes’s causal
HamptonSocial Studies April 27, 2015Renaissance Essay: Johannes Kepler Imagine what it would be like to be a great mathematician, who could solve anything involving numbers. This makes me think of Johannes Kepler because he was the renaissance’s innovator who could invent new ideas with math. Johannes Kepler was born in Weil Der Stadt in the holy Roman Empire now Germany. Johannes was known for being able to justify six planets and its distances. Johannes Kepler had a very rough life growing up. Early on, Johannes was prone to Ill-health. His hands were damaged and his eyesight was diagnosed with a virus called small pox. His grandfathers were amazed with his ability to solve any problem they could bring up to him involving numbers. Another fact about Johannes Kepler is his father Heinrich Kepler earned his living as a mercenary and left the family when Johannes was five. Johanne's mother took him outside to see the eclipse when he was nine years old, he remembered the event his entire life. He was schooled in latin the language of academics, the legal profession and churchmen throughout Europe. Later on he attended Protestant Seminary of Maulbronn, he wished to become a protestant minister. He also attended University of Tubingen, where he took the classes of Theology, Greek Hebrew, Philosophy and Mathematics. Johannes Kepler had
At that point he was totally blind in both eyes. In 1642, Galileo,died at his home outside Florence. He was 77 when he
The renaissance architects and artists has already influence into the mathematical term of portion and perspective because their works have ticked the rivaled nature. As explain the article Galileo used mathematical in a equal skill to reveal that the underlying structure of physical space and emotion could be reduced to mathematical analysis. So in his analysis Galileo described that connecting physical space and real motion could be observed that a uniform change of his neo-platonic, mathematical world. Galileo was the most important person in Europe because he was the bridge for the the scientific revolution in that continent.
Galileo was able to be so influential to the fields of physics and mathematics because he received higher education, which allowed him to be able to set up a basis for his work. “In 1583, Galileo entered the University of Pisa to study medicine” (Galileo Biography, 1). During this the time period, the University of Pisa was considered to be a prestigious university, and therefore, the conclusion that by studying the science of medicine in such a place, Galileo gained a deeper understanding of the sciences. Although he studied medicine at the university, Galileo gained a deeper understanding of the planets and space because during the 1500’s, many medical practices centered around astrology and the stars. Although modern medicine is practiced in a different way, the beliefs of the era contributed to the formation of one of the greatest minds in science.
He worked with Euler on elasticity and the development of the Euler-Bernoulli beam equation.[9] Bernoulli's principle is of critical use inaerodynamics.[4]
One of David Hilbert many accomplishments is when he was able to distinguish between mathematics and metamathematics. He is considered to be one of the greatest
(Frova 41) Galileo’s confirmation of Copernican’s heliocentric theory explained through logical arguments and mathematical laws clearly the answers to these difficulties.
There have been a lot of great mathematicians throughout history, and Leonhard Euler was one of these
Bernoulli was soon exposed to Euler’s brilliance in analytical science and presently saw his true potential, and gained a new respect for him. Euler procured his degree of Master of Arts in philosophy in 1723 by comparing and contrasting the ideas of Descartes and Newton. He then attempted to gain degrees in Theology and Oriental languages on his father’s request, but did not complete the course due to disinterest in the subject, and soon, with his father’s permission, returned to the study of mathematics.
Sophie Germain contributed to Fermat’s last theorem which states that there are no three positive
Euclid of Alexandria was a Greek mathematician most known for his groundbreaking work in geometry and is often called the father of geometry. Most of Euclid’s life is unknown, the public mostly knows about Euclid through Proclus, who was the last major Greek philosopher. It is said that Euclid was born around 365 B.C. in Alexandria, Egypt and lived until about 300 B.C. According to Proclus Euclid taught in Alexandria in the time of Ptolemy I Soter. Euclid is most famous for his 13-volume book on geometry called The Elements. In the book he used his and many other mathematicians theories to explain plane geometry (Books I-VI), number theory (Books VII-IX), Phaenomena also known as Eudoxus’s’ theory of irrational numbers (Book X), and solid geometry (Books XI-XIII). His book was used as the main textbook for teaching mathematics until the later 19th or early 20th century. Proclus recalls a story of Euclid of when Ptolemy 1 asked if there was a shorter path to learning geometry than Euclid’s Elements, in which Euclid replied, “There is no royal road to geometry.” Although previous Mathematicians discovered many of the works in the book, Euclid was sill known for collecting, organizing, and proofing geometric ideas that were already used as applied techniques. Several mathematicians, the Elements are based on work from people like Eudoxus’s, Thales, Hippocrates, Pythagoras, and many more. We now know of his theories as ‘Euclidean geometry’, which consists of assuming a small set