FX.co ★ Interesting facts about mathematics and mathematicians

Mathematical symbols began to appear only in the 16th century

A verbal record of mathematical proofs existed long enough beginning with the Euclid's "Elements." In the sixteenth century, the French mathematician François Viète replaced the excessive cumbersomeness of concrete calculations with the laconic simplicity of letter symbols. Soon all words in the formulas of the scientist received special mathematical symbols.

Equal sign had several versions

For the first time, the equal sign (=) was applied by the Welsh physician and mathematician Robert Recorde. Before him, the identity of mathematical expressions was denoted by the words est egale. Time has shown that it is two parallel dashes that demonstrate the equivalence of the left and right halves of the expression. Mathematical innovation, however, hasn't become ubiquitous immediately. Thus, the mathematician Rene Descartes, who lived in France in the 17th century, used a different symbol (æ), while the "=" sign was used by the scientist indicating a negative coefficient. The symbol of equality in its modern designation was established in science only at the beginning of the 18th century.

Number 7 was considered a symbol of harmony

The Pythagorean school considered the mathematical symbol of the number seven as a model of harmony in nature. This sacred number was the sum of two "vital" numbers, 3 and 4, that is, contained two triads and a divine monad. Under number 3, the mother, father and child (triangle) were meant, and under 4 - the number of sides of the world (square). These mathematical figures were considered a manifestation of perfection and completeness.

Negative numbers appeared in mathematics late

Paradoxically, the negative roots of the equations were considered impossible up to the 19th century and therefore rejected. However, the Greek mathematician Diophantus (3rd century AD) was an exception to the general rule: he was the first to learn to multiply negative quantities. Approximately from the 7th century, negative numbers began to be used in China as temporary values necessary to obtain the final result, but they received a visual geometric representation on the numerical axis only after a thousand years. Two centuries later, the theory of negative numbers was finally formed by William Hamilton and Hermann Grassmann.

East Asia residents are afraid of number 4

As is known, the number 4 has an extremely negative meaning for the majority of East Asian residents. Tetraphobia is explained by the fact that the Chinese hieroglyph, which designates this figure, is read as "death." That's why, being in the countries of the region do not be surprised that the number 4 lacks in the numbering of houses, floors, and apartments, and mobile phone numbers containing this number can be bought at a much lower price. There is also no number 4 in the names of new products of mobile equipment.

Pi number has its own club

The mathematical constant, already celebrating its holiday for many years on March 14 (the 14th day of the 3rd month of the year), annually replenishes the ranks of members of the so-called "Pi-Club" at the expense of those who successfully pass the exam for knowledge of as much as possible numbers of digits after the decimal point in the Pi number.

Mathematicians are not awarded the Nobel Prize

According to the will of Alfred Nobel, mathematicians cannot be awarded the Nobel Prize. It still remains a mystery to this day why this happened. According to one of the versions, the reason for the exclusion of the queen of sciences from the scientific list was the intimate relationship of the scientist's beloved one with one of the mathematicians. This information is not confirmed, but Nobel really had hostile relations with one of the representatives of the exact science, the outstanding mathematician Magnus Mittag-Leffler. It is believed that in this way a well-known patron decided to "take revenge" on all mathematical geniuses.

First female mathematician lived in Ancient Greece

It is noteworthy that the first female mathematician lived at the dawn of Christian civilization. Having received a good education Hypatia (that was her name) wrote several works in collaboration with her father, Theon of Alexandria. Her comments on the works of outstanding ancient mathematicians are the most popular. In addition, Hypatia founded her own school where she taught not only mathematics but also philosophy with astronomy.

Mathematician Abraham de Moivre calculated the date of his death

The eminent English mathematician Abraham de Moivre, already at a fairly old age, once observed that the duration of his sleep increases with each passing day and drew the appropriate conclusions. After making a mathematical calculation, he found out the date of his alleged death, November 27, 1754. The forecast was confirmed with incredible accuracy.

Mathematician George Dantzig got an excellent mark for his "homework"

The American mathematician George Dantzig became famous in his circle, and then all over the world thanks to a fluke: once, arrived late for his studies at the university, he rewrote the conditions of the statistical equations that were written on the blackboard mistaken them for homework. Imagine the professor's astonishment when a few days later his pupil brought a homework done over which many great minds had struggled for many years.