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PhysicsPrime
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in your opinion of course...These questions are always hard to answer and ultimately subjective because there are so many great minds..but if you had to pick the top 3 who would you pick
thank you :)jedishrfu said:Welcome to PF!
Archimedes
Newton
Ramanujan
well I am interested in why you put Archimedes as number 1... does he rank higher than say other greek,egyptian, arabic, non-greek mathematicians, is he the greatest ancient mathematician...and greatest of all time as well?jedishrfu said:Next why do I think that? or do you agree?
how does Aryabhatta stack up against Archimedes...jedishrfu said:Archimedes calculated the volume of a cone and the volume of a sphere using a form of infinitesimals 2000 years before Calculus was invented.
You can read more here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Archimedes
They also think that the Antekythera device, a very early gear-driven analog computer was based on an Archimedes design:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antikythera_mechanism
He has had a deep and long-lasting impact on humanity.
DivergentSpectrum said:You could say that Newton, euler, gauss, etc were born in times that were "ripe for discovery"- If it hadnt been them, it would have been someone else. For example, Newton and Leibniz both discovered calculus independently.
This isn't to say they weren't great geniuses, in particular you could say euler was ahead of his time, but most of these were great only because of the time period they were born in.
In my opinion, the truly remarkable discoveries are ahead of their time.
As a scientist, I believe that it is difficult to definitively determine the three greatest mathematicians in history. However, some of the most highly regarded mathematicians include Archimedes, Isaac Newton, and Leonhard Euler. These individuals made significant contributions to the field of mathematics and their work continues to influence modern mathematics today.
There are many different qualities that can make a mathematician great. Some of the most important include creativity, problem-solving skills, and the ability to think abstractly. Great mathematicians also have a deep understanding of mathematical concepts and are able to make complex ideas accessible to others.
Mathematicians play a crucial role in society by solving real-world problems and developing new technologies. They are involved in fields such as engineering, finance, and computer science, and their work helps to advance these industries. Additionally, mathematicians also contribute to the development of new theories and concepts that have a profound impact on society.
While some may argue that innate talent is necessary to become a great mathematician, many experts believe that hard work and dedication are the most important factors. Anyone with a passion for math and a willingness to put in the effort can become a successful mathematician. It is important to note that success in mathematics also requires an open mind and a willingness to think outside the box.
Mathematics has evolved significantly over time, with new theories and concepts constantly being developed. In ancient times, mathematics focused primarily on geometry and the study of numbers. However, with the rise of modern science and technology, mathematics has expanded to include areas such as calculus, statistics, and abstract algebra. Today, mathematics continues to evolve and play a crucial role in various fields and industries.