If Gauss is the Prince, Euler is the King. Living from 1707 to 1783, he is regarded as the greatest mathematician to have ever walked this planet. It is said that all mathematical formulas are named after the next person after Euler to discover them. In his day he was ground breaking and on par with Einstein in genius. His primary (if that’s possible) contribution to the field is with the introduction of mathematical notation including the concept of a function (and how it is written as f(x)), shorthand trigonometric functions, the ‘e’ for the base of the natural logarithm (The Euler Constant), the Greek letter Sigma for summation and the letter ‘/i’ for imaginary units, as well as the symbol pi for the ratio of a circles circumference to its diameter. All of which play a huge bearing on modern mathematics, from the every day to the incredibly complex.
As well as this, he also solved the Seven Bridges of Koenigsberg problem in graph theory, found the Euler Characteristic for connecting the number of vertices, edges and faces of an object, and (dis)proved many well known theories, too many to list. Furthermore, he continued to develop calculus, topology, number theory, analysis and graph theory as well as much, much more – and ultimately he paved the way for modern mathematics and all its revelations. It is probably no coincidence that industry and technological developments rapidly increased around this time.
Is he the father of Mathematics?
ReplyDeleteFrom what we have learned in the history of math and science, many theories, inventions and discoveries which are named after such mathematicians and scientist but were not the first to discover it but because they were the first to record it. So, about Euler, I believe he is one of the greatest mathematician for he discovered and further study many things about mathematics that we know today. About the article, when you discuss or present it in class, it would be better to broaden more on the topic on how he discovered such concepts in math or better yet search in the net an animated video about Euler for students today are attracted to videos and not plain words.
ReplyDelete...I am a Math teacher...but I really can't figure out how to teach those concepts above...then connecting it to the real life situations???....this is really my challenge.....it's Ok if those one listening can 'Jive' with what you're trying to explain....but only few really can 'Jive' with it...sometimes I realize...so what then if the great great Mathematicians discovered them?..if you can't understand them?...or you can't get the real application of those concepts to the real life situations???....is there a way to overcome this challenge guys??
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ReplyDeleteIt is really interesting reading the history of mathematics but when it comes to complex mathematical equation and application,I am always confused..
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