13. René Descartes (1596-1650 AD)
Father of Modern Philosophy, René Descartes has
been accredited for his many mathematical contributions
too.
His most known contribution to math is in the field of
analytical geometry. In his publication, Discourse on
14. Method (Discours de la methode), specifically its
appendices on La Geometrie achieved a milestone in
compiling the history of mathematics. Moreover, the book
also introduced standard algebraic notation, use of
lowercase a, b and c for known quantities and x, y and z for
unknown quantities.
Adrien-Marie Legendre (1752-1833 AD)
Inventor of the Legendre polynomials and Legendre
transformation, Adrien-Marie Legendre worked on many
important concepts in mathematics. In number theory, he
developed the quadratic reciprocity law and contributed to
applying analysis to division of primes and number theory.
His work was used parts of Gauss’ statistics, Galois
Theory, number theory and elliptic functions and he
developed the least squares method used in linear
regression. In fact, Legendre’s most prized research was on
elliptic functions.
15. Legendre received an award for his mathematical
contribution by the Berlin Academy, was a Fellow of the
Royal Society and officer of Legion d’Honneur.
Answers:
Riddles
Question 1 - Answer: 1, 2, and 3
Question 2 - Answer: 50 percent
Question 3 - Answer: 0
Riddles
17. Question#1
How many 9′s are there between 1 and 100?
Answer: 20
9, 19, 29, 39, 49, 59, 69, 79, 89, 90, 91, 92,
93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99
18. Question#2
Find three positive whole numbers that
have the same answer added together or
when multiplied together.
Answer:
19. 1,2, & 3
1 x 2 x 3 = 6 and 1 + 2 + 3 = 6
Question#3
Divide 110 into two parts so that one will be
150 percent of the other. What are the 2
numbers?
Answer:
44 and 66
29. Blaise Pascal (1623-1662)
Philosopher, physicist, inventor, writer and mathematician, Blaise
Pascal is known for his invention of the mechanical calculator.
Pascal also contributed greatly to other research areas such as
probability theory, projective geometry, cycloid and the arithmetic
triangle. Along with his colleague Fermat, Pascal developed the
foundations for mathematical theory of probabilities.
In the natural and applied sciences, Pascal worked on concepts
such as fluids, pressure and vacuum. It is in his honour that a
programming language has been named and the SI unit of
pressure. Other such contributions which carry his name include
the Pascal triangle, Pascal’s law, and Pascal’s wager.
30. Charles Hermite
(1822-1901 AD)
Perhaps the most prominent mathematician of the
nineteenth century was Charles Hermite. His work on
elliptic functions, algebra and orthogonal polynomials are
match-less to date.
His research on quadratic forms and invariant theory,
elliptic functions and number theory were monumental.
Although not formally educated, Hermite’s theories on
arithmetic quadratic forms, elliptic and algebraic forms
were widely popular. Hermite was born with a defected
right foot which restricted his moving abilities but in spite
of this, he fought for his rights, soon becoming an
inspiration to many. The interpolation procedure is often
called the Hermite Interpolation named after him.
