Gauss, Johann Carl Friedrich
Published: September 6, 2006, 9:15 pm
Updated: September 6, 2006, 9:15 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
Tom Lawrence
Johann Carl Friedrich Gauss (1777-1855), a legendary German mathematician, astronomer, and physicist, is considered to be among the leading mathematicians of all time. At age 19, Gauss demonstrated a method for constructing a heptadecagon using only a straightedge and compass, a process that had eluded the Greeks. Gauss proved the fundamental theorem of algebra, which states that every polynomial has a root of the form a+bi. In 1801, he proved the fundamental theorem of arithmetic, which states that every natural number can be represented as the product of primes in only one way. At age 24, Gauss published Disquisitiones Arithmeticae (1801), considered to be one of most important mathematical treatises of all time. Gauss also developed the method of least squares fitting, 10 years before Adrien-Marie Legendre, but did not publish his findings. His breadth of knowledge was expansive, from the theory of numbers, to algebra, analysis, geometry, probability, and the theory of errors. He applied these and other insights to an equally impressive range of empirical and theoretical research in observational astronomy, celestial mechanics, surveying, geodesy, capillarity, geomagnetism, electromagnetism, mechanism optics, and actuarial science.
Further Reading
Fundamental theorem of algebra (University of St. Andrews, Scotland, School of Mathematics and Statistics)
Gauss - Biography (University of St. Andrews, Scotland, School of Mathematics and Statistics)
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Citation
Cutler J. Cleveland (Lead Author);Tom Lawrence (Topic Editor) "Gauss, Johann Carl Friedrich". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth September 6, 2006; Last revised Date September 6, 2006; Retrieved June 18, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Gauss,_Johann_Carl_Friedrich>
The Author
Cutler J. Cleveland is Professor of Earth and Environment at Boston University, where he also is on the faculty of the Center for Energy and Environmental Studies. Professor Cleveland is Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopedia of Energy (Elsevier, 2004), winner of an American Library Association award, the Dictionary of Energy (Elsevier, 2005), Handbook of Energy (Elsevier, forthcoming), and is the Founding Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopedia of Earth. He is the recipient of the Adelma ... (Full Bio)
Johann Carl Friedrich Gauss (1777-1855), a legendary German mathematician, astronomer, and physicist, is considered to be among the leading mathematicians of all time. At age 19, Gauss demonstrated a method for constructing a heptadecagon using only a straightedge and compass, a process that had eluded the Greeks. Gauss proved the fundamental theorem of algebra, which states that every polynomial has a root of the form a+bi. In 1801, he proved the fundamental theorem of arithmetic, which states that every natural number can be represented as the product of primes in only one way. At age 24, Gauss published Disquisitiones Arithmeticae (1801), considered to be one of most important mathematical treatises of all time. Gauss also developed the method of least squares fitting, 10 years before Adrien-Marie Legendre, but did not publish his findings. His breadth of knowledge was expansive, from the theory of numbers, to algebra, analysis, geometry, probability, and the theory of errors. He applied these and other insights to an equally impressive range of empirical and theoretical research in observational astronomy, celestial mechanics, surveying, geodesy, capillarity, geomagnetism, electromagnetism, mechanism optics, and actuarial science.
Further Reading
Fundamental theorem of algebra (University of St. Andrews, Scotland, School of Mathematics and Statistics)
Gauss - Biography (University of St. Andrews, Scotland, School of Mathematics and Statistics)
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