A blog covering the history of STEM and how we got to where we are.
Hippocrates’ Contributions to Mathematics Although Hippocrates’ work is often overshadowed by the more famous “Hippocratic Oath” associated with the medical philosopher Hippocrates of Kos, his contributions to mathematics are both significant and pioneering. He is primarily remembered for his work in geometry, especially his advances in understanding the properties of circles, areas, and volumes. The …
The History of the Sieve of Eratosthenes The Sieve of Eratosthenes is one of the most ancient and ingenious algorithms in the history of mathematics. Developed by the Greek mathematician Eratosthenes of Cyrene (circa 276–194 BCE), it remains a fundamental algorithm for generating prime numbers and has had a significant influence on various fields of …
Pierre de Fermat (1607–1665) was a French mathematician, lawyer, and polymath whose profound contributions transformed the landscape of mathematics. Often regarded as one of the founders of modern mathematics, Fermat is celebrated for his pioneering work in number theory, analytic geometry, calculus, probability, and optics. His genius lies not only in his groundbreaking results but …
The History of Irrational Numbers in Mathematics Irrational numbers are one of the most profound and fascinating discoveries in the history of mathematics. These are numbers that cannot be expressed as a ratio of two integers, and their decimal expansions neither terminate nor repeat. Examples include \(π\), \(e\), and \(\sqrt{2}\). Despite their seeming complexity, irrational …
Pioneer of Non-Euclidean Geometry Giovanni Girolamo Saccheri (1667–1733) was an Italian Jesuit priest, philosopher, and mathematician whose work laid the groundwork for one of the most revolutionary ideas in mathematics: non-Euclidean geometry. Though largely overlooked during his lifetime, Saccheri’s exploration of alternatives to Euclid‘s parallel postulate would later inspire mathematicians such as Gauss, Bolyai, Lobachevsky, …
Stephen Hawking, one of the most celebrated theoretical physicists and cosmologists of the modern era, made groundbreaking contributions to our understanding of the universe. His work, which spans the fields of mathematics, theoretical physics, and cosmology, has not only advanced scientific knowledge but also captured the public’s imagination. Despite living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) …
The Fibonacci Sequence: Math in Nature The Fibonacci sequence is one of the most iconic and widely studied concepts in mathematics. It represents a series of numbers in which each term is the sum of the two preceding terms, beginning with 0 and 1. Written as $$0,1,1,2,3,5,8,13,21,…$$, the sequence unfolds in a pattern that has …
Joseph Fourier, a French mathematician and physicist, profoundly influenced the fields of mathematics, science, and engineering. Best known for his development of Fourier analysis and the study of heat transfer, Fourier’s work laid the foundation for modern signal processing, thermodynamics, and even quantum mechanics. His innovative ideas continue to shape numerous disciplines, from mathematics to …
John Forbes Nash Jr. (1928–2015) was an American mathematician renowned for his groundbreaking work in game theory, differential geometry, and partial differential equations. Despite facing significant personal challenges, including a long battle with mental illness, Nash’s contributions to mathematics and science have left an indelible mark on fields as diverse as economics, biology, computer science, …
Hilbert’s 23 Problems: A Legacy of Mathematical Inquiry At the dawn of the 20th century, German mathematician David Hilbert (1862–1943) revolutionized mathematics by presenting a list of 23 problems during his lecture at the International Congress of Mathematicians in Paris in 1900. These problems spanned various fields, posing foundational challenges and advancing research directions for …