Carl Friedrich Gauss :: essays research papers

Carl Friedrich GaussCarl Friedrich Gauss was a German mathematician and scientist whodominated the mathematical community during and after his lifetime. Hisoutstanding work includes the baring of the method of least squares, thediscovery of non-Euclidean geometry, and important contributions to the theoryof numbers.Born in Brunswick, Ger legion(predicate), on April 30, 1777, Johann Friedrich CarlGauss showed early and unmistakable signs of being an extraordinary youth. As a electric razor prodigy, he was self taught in the fields of reading and arithmetic.Recognizing his talent, his youthful studies were accelerated by the Duke ofBrunswick in 1792 when he was provided with a stipend to allow him to pursue hiseducation.In 1795, he continued his mathematical studies at the University of Gttingen. In 1799, he obtained his doctorate in absentia from the University ofHelmstedt, for providing the first reasonably complete proof of what is nowcalled the important theorem of algebra. He stated that Any polynomial withreal coefficients can be factored into the product of real linear and/or realquadratic factors.At the time of 24, he published Disquisitiones arithmeticae, in which heformulated systematic and widely influential concepts and methods of numbertheory -- dealing with the relationships and properties of integers. This bookset the pattern for many future research and won Gauss major recognition amongmathematicians. Using number theory, Gauss proposed an algebraic solution to thegeometric problem of creating a polygon of n sides. Gauss turn up the possibilityby constructing a regular 17 sided polygon into a circle using only a straightedge and compass.Barely 30 years old, already having made landmark discoveries ingeometry, algebra, and number theory Gauss was appointed director of theObservatory at Gttingen. In 1801, Gauss turned his direction to astronomy andapplied his computational skills to develop a technique for calculating orbitalcomponents for ce lestial bodies, including the asteroid Ceres. His methods,which he describes in his book Theoria Motus Corporum Coelestium, are legato inuse today. Although Gauss made valuable contributions to both theoretical andpractical astronomy, his principle work was in mathematics, and mathematicalphysics.About 1820 Gauss turned his attention to geodesy -- the mathematicaldetermination of the shape and size of the Earths surface -- to which hedevoted such(prenominal) time in the theoretical studies and field work. In his research, hedeveloped the heliotrope to secure more accurate measurements, and introducedthe Gaussian error curve, or bell curve. To fulfill his sense of civilresponsibility, Gauss undertook a geodetic survey of his country and did much ofthe field work himself. In his theoretical work on surveying, Gauss developed