Compilation of Mathematicians and Their Contributions
I. Greek Mathematicians
Thales of Miletus
Birthdate: 624 B.C.
Died: 547-546 B. C.
Nationality: Greek
Title: Regarded as “Father of Science”
Contributions: * He is credited with the first use of deductive reasoning applied to geometry. * Discovery that a circle is bisected by its diameter, that the base angles of an isosceles triangle are equal and that vertical angles are equal. * Accredited with foundation of the Ionian school of Mathematics that was a centre of learning and research. * Thales theorems used in Geometry:
1. The pairs of opposite angles formed by two intersecting lines are equal. 2. The base angles of an isosceles triangle are equal. 3. The sum of the angles in a triangle is 180°. 4. An angle inscribed in a semicircle is a right angle.
Pythagoras
Birthdate: 569 B.C.
Died: 475 B.C.
Nationality: Greek
Contributions: * Pythagorean Theorem. In a right angled triangle the square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares on the other two sides.
Note: A right triangle is a triangle that contains one right (90°) angle. The longest side of a right triangle, called the hypotenuse, is the side opposite the right angle. The Pythagorean Theorem is important in mathematics, physics, and astronomy and has practical applications in surveying. * Developed a sophisticated numerology in which odd numbers denoted male and even female:
1 is the generator of numbers and is the number of reason
2 is the number of opinion
3 is the number of harmony
4 is the number of justice and retribution (opinion squared)
5 is the number of marriage (union of the first male and the first female numbers)
6 is the number of creation
10 is the holiest of all, and was the number of the universe, because 1+2+3+4 = 10.
* Discovery of incommensurate ratios, what we would call today irrational numbers. * Made the first inroads into the branch of mathematics which would today be called Number Theory. * Setting up a secret mystical
Thales of Miletus
Birthdate: 624 B.C.
Died: 547-546 B. C.
Nationality: Greek
Title: Regarded as “Father of Science”
Contributions: * He is credited with the first use of deductive reasoning applied to geometry. * Discovery that a circle is bisected by its diameter, that the base angles of an isosceles triangle are equal and that vertical angles are equal. * Accredited with foundation of the Ionian school of Mathematics that was a centre of learning and research. * Thales theorems used in Geometry:
1. The pairs of opposite angles formed by two intersecting lines are equal. 2. The base angles of an isosceles triangle are equal. 3. The sum of the angles in a triangle is 180°. 4. An angle inscribed in a semicircle is a right angle.
Pythagoras
Birthdate: 569 B.C.
Died: 475 B.C.
Nationality: Greek
Contributions: * Pythagorean Theorem. In a right angled triangle the square of the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares on the other two sides.
Note: A right triangle is a triangle that contains one right (90°) angle. The longest side of a right triangle, called the hypotenuse, is the side opposite the right angle. The Pythagorean Theorem is important in mathematics, physics, and astronomy and has practical applications in surveying. * Developed a sophisticated numerology in which odd numbers denoted male and even female:
1 is the generator of numbers and is the number of reason
2 is the number of opinion
3 is the number of harmony
4 is the number of justice and retribution (opinion squared)
5 is the number of marriage (union of the first male and the first female numbers)
6 is the number of creation
10 is the holiest of all, and was the number of the universe, because 1+2+3+4 = 10.
* Discovery of incommensurate ratios, what we would call today irrational numbers. * Made the first inroads into the branch of mathematics which would today be called Number Theory. * Setting up a secret mystical
References: Micosoft Encarta Encyclopedia 2009. www.wikipedia.com www.mathalino.com www.new world encyclopedia.com Encyclopaedia Britannica online www.answers.com www.about.com http://www.robertnowlan.com/ pdf