Enter the museum of mathematicians and see some

of the milestones and mathematicians in Mathematics

History.

Choose your search by Year/ Influence or Subject

:1000 – 0 B. C.E.

GreeksRomans

0 – 1000 Islam & India

1000 – 1800 Europe

Algebra Geometry

Logic Calculus

Number Theory

Apollonius Archimedes

Aristotle ErastothenesEuclid Plato

Pythagoras

Apollonius250-175 B.C.E.

Apollonius is responsible for the study of the Conic Sections. He

applied this to his study of Astronomy and its relation to the

universe. He also applied this concept to algebra.

Archimedes287-212 B.C.E.

He made his biggest contribution in the area of analysis. He gave us the

accurate approximation of Pi and the ability to calculate square roots accurately. He invented the system

for expressing large numbers.

Aristotle384-322 B.C.E.

A student of Plato, Aristotle was not a mathematician primarily. He is credited for his development of

syllogisms in the field of logic. Since geometry utilizes deductive reasoning

Aristotle is credited for its implementation.

Erastosthenes276-194 B.C.E.

Erastosthenes made his contribution in the area of number theory. His Sieve of Erastothenes helps a student to see the concept

of prime numbers. He also contributed in the area of

geography.

Euclid325-265 B.C.E.

Euclid wrote the 13 volume text entitled “The Elements”. This book has served as the basis of Plane Geometry which is taught in most schools today.

Plato427-347 B.C.E.

Plato created his Academy for the furthering of education. He applied the idea of a proof in

geometry and utilized the concept of logic to the subject.

Pythagoras 569-475 B.C.E.

Best known for the Pythagorean Theorem that used in Geometry and

Trigonometry. He is considered one of the first mathematicians. He led a society of thinkers who discussed

mathematics and science.

Romans After the Golden Age of Greek

Mathematics the Romans took the knowledge acquired by the Greeks and

applied their principles to art, architecture, science and other areas. The application of these ideas led to

milestones in those areas. The buildings of Rome are one example.

Al-Khwarizmi Brahmgupta

Al-Khwarizmi780-850

Al-Khwarizmi is known for the first Algebra textbook. The concepts of multiplying binomials, square roots, squares and roots of equations were

discussed in his work. He contributed in expanding the use of

Hindu-Arabic numerals.

Brahmgupta598-670

Brahmgupta developed the concept of positive and negative numbers. He is responsible for the study of

indeterminate analysis. He applied his mathematical knowledge to astronomy and number theory.

Descartes EulerFermat FibonacciLeibniz NapierNewton Pascal

Rene Descartes1596-1650

He studied the relationship of Algebra and Geometry. The

Cartesian Coordinate Plane is named for him. The graphs that can

be displayed on the coordinate plane show a visual representation of the information. His writings to

Fermat serve as the basis of analytic geometry.

Leonhard Euler1707-1783

Euler has studied the field of theology and philosophy. He also contributed in the area of Calculus

and Differential Equations. His work on infinite series introduced his now

famous constant.

Pierre DeFermat1601-1665

Fermat is a leading mathematician in the area of analytic geometry. He worked with Descartes in that area

and his correspondence with Pascal led to the basis of the theory of

probability.

Leonardo Pisano Fibonacci1170-1250

Fibonacci wrote “Liber Abaci” in 1202 in which he discussed

number theory. He discussed the concept of place value, and

algorithm. Simultaneous Linear Equations were also a topic he

impacted.

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz1646-1716

Leibniz began by studying the works of Aristotle and learned the

importance of a mathematical proof. He studied with many

mathematicians and developed the notation for integral and differential

calculus.

John Napier1550-1617

John Napier is responsible for the study of logarithms. The logarithms

were developed in order to aid in complicated calculations. These were to be used in calculations

needed in Astronomy.

Sir Isaac Newton1642-1727

Newton studied many areas. He laid the foundation for the study of

integral and differential calculus and applied the binomial theorem for

fractional and negative powers. He is most noted for his work on

gravity.

Blaise Pascal1623-1662

Blaise Pascal studied many areas-philosophy, mathematics, science. He

developed the first calculator which was similar to one used in the 1940’s. He

along with Fermat laid the groundwork for the study of probability. His notes helped Newton develop the binomial theorem for

fractional and negative powers.

Al-Khwarizmi Apollonius

Descartes Pascal

Al-Khwarizmi780-850

Al-Khwarizmi is known for the first Algebra textbook. The concepts of multiplying binomials, square roots, squares and roots of equations were

discussed in his book. He contributed in expanding the use of

Hindu-Arabic numerals.

Apollonius250-175 B.C.E.

Apollonius is responsible for the study of the Conic Sections. He

applied this to his study of Astronomy and its relation to the

universe. He also applied this concept to algebra.

Rene Descartes1596-1650

He studied the relationship of Algebra and Geometry. The

Cartesian Coordinate Plane is named for him. The graphs that can

be displayed on the coordinate plane show a visual representation of the information. His writings to

Fermat serve as the basis of analytic geometry.

Blaise Pascal1623-1662

Blaise Pascal studied many areas-philosophy, mathematics, science. He

developed the first calculator which was similar to one used in the 1940’s. He

along with Fermat laid the groundwork for the study of probability. His notes helped Newton develop the binomial theorem for

fractional and negative powers.

Euclid Fermat

Pythagoras

Euclid325-265 B.C.E.

Euclid wrote the 13 volume text entitled “The Elements”. This book has served as the basis of Plane Geometry which is taught in most schools today.

Pierre DeFermat1601-1665

Fermat is a leading mathematician in the area of analytic geometry. He worked with Descartes in that area

and his correspondence with Pascal led to the basis of the theory of

probability.

Pythagoras 569-475 B.C.E.

Best known for the Pythagorean Theorem that used in Geometry and

Trigonometry. He is considered one of the first mathematicians. He led a society of thinkers who discussed

mathematics and science.

Brahmgupta Erastothenes

Fibonacci

Brahmgupta598-670

Brahmgupta developed the concept of positive and negative numbers. He is responsible for the study of

indeterminate analysis. He applied his mathematical knowledge to astronomy and number theory.

Erastosthenes276-194 B.C.E.

Erastosthenes made his contribution in the area of number theory. His Sieve of Erastothenes helps a student to see the concept

of prime numbers. He also contributed in the area of

geography.

Leonardo Pisano Fibonacci1170-1250

Fibonacci wrote “Liber Abaci” in 1202 in which he discussed

number theory. He discussed the concept of place value, and

algorithm. Simultaneous Linear Equations were also a topic he

impacted.

Euler Leibniz

Napier Newton

Leonhard Euler1707-1783

Euler has studied the field of theology and philosophy. He also contributed in the area of Calculus

and Differential Equations. His work on infinite series introduced his now

famous constant.

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz1646-1716

Leibniz began by studying the works of Aristotle and learned the

importance of a mathematical proof. He studied with many

mathematicians and developed the notation for integral and differential

calculus.

John Napier1550-1617

John Napier is responsible for the study of logarithms. The logarithms

were developed in order to aid in complicated calculations. These were to be used in calculations

needed in Astronomy.

Sir Isaac Newton1642-1727

Newton studied many areas. He laid the foundation for the study of

integral and differential calculus and applied the binomial theorem for

fractional and negative powers. He is most noted for his work on

gravity.

Archimedes Aristotle

Plato

Archimedes287-212 B.C.E.

He made his biggest contribution in the area of analysis. He gave us the

accurate approximation of Pi and the ability to calculate square roots accurately. He invented the system

for expressing large numbers.

Aristotle384-322 B.C.E.

A student of Plato, Aristotle was not a mathematician primarily. He is credited for his development of

syllogisms in the field of logic. Since geometry utilizes deductive reasoning

Aristotle is credited for its implementation.

Plato427-347 B.C.E.

Plato created his Academy for the furthering of education. He applied the idea of a proof in

geometry and utilized the concept of logic to the subject.

RESOURCES

For further information you can check these resources:

Boyer, Carl B. A History of Mathematics. New York, New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., (1968)

Katz, Victor J. A History of Mathematics An Introduction. New York, New York: Addison-Wesley, (1998). School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of St. Andrew’s Scotland, http://www-gap.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/~history/BiogIndex.html retrieved June 2004.

Wilkens, David R. School of Mathematics, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland, http://www.maths.tcd.ie/pub/HistMath/People/RBallHist.html, retrieved June,