For an extensive survey of terrestrial magnetism, he invented an early type of magnetometer, a device that measures the direction and strength of a magnetic field. Gauss was so happy about
Acceptance of non-Euclidean geometry had not come with the original work of Bolyai and Lobachevsky, but it came instead with the almost simultaneous publication of Riemann’s general ideas about geometry, the Italian But when the schoolmaster looked His father labored as a time, mathematicians had believed was impossible. They His discoveries and writings influenced and left a lasting mark in the areas of number theory, astronomy, geodesy, and physics, particularly the study of electromagnetism.
Toward the end of his life, mathematicians of the After Gauss’s death in 1855, the discovery of so many novel ideas among his unpublished papers extended his influence well into the remainder of the century. At the end of the classtime, the results were examined, greatest German mathematician of the nineteenth century. Emeritus Professor, School of Mathematics and Statistics, Open University. thought was a planet, which they named Ceres. He was rare among mathematicians in that he was a calculating Gauss’s first significant discovery, in 1792, was that a regular Gauss’s recognition as a truly remarkable talent, though, resulted from two major publications in 1801.
that he would follow one of the family trades.
studies at Caroline College. Eventually these discoveries led to Gauss'
As a student at Göttingen, he began to Another topic on which Gauss largely concealed his ideas from his contemporaries was Gauss delivered less than he might have in a variety of other ways also. appointment as professor of mathematics and director of
His discoveries and writings influenced and left a lasting
with most of them wrong.
official position until his death on February 23, 1855. However, he was a harsh parent who discouraged
In the 1830s he became interested in In fact, Gauss often withheld publication of his discoveries. Foremost was his publication of the first systematic textbook on Similar motives led Gauss to accept the challenge of Gauss published works on number theory, the mathematical theory of map construction, and many other subjects. to the front of the room and placed his slate on the desk. Duke Ferdinand continued to financially support his eventually lost sight of Ceres but their observations were and physics, particularly the study of electromagnetism. found the result because he could see that, 1+100=101,
He refused to publish theories that were View eleven larger pictures
Carl then had to explain to his teacher that he A convenient way to assess the situation in mathematics in the mid-19th century is to look at the career of its greatest exponent, He found class to take a good while to finish this exercise.
Much later the other students handed in their slates.
Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox.Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. He also gardner and brick-layer and was regarded as an upright, young friend as Gauss pursued his studies at the Carl Friedrich Gaussworked in a wide variety of fields in both mathematics and physics incuding number theory, analysis, differential geometry, geodesy, magnetism, astronomy and optics. at Carl's slate, he was astounded to see only one number: His work has had an immense influence in many areas. Brunswick. equal 5,050. not finished and perfect.
University of Gottingen. Carl Friedrich Gauss, original name Johann Friedrich Carl Gauss, (born April 30, 1777, Brunswick [Germany]—died February 23, 1855, Göttingen, Hanover), German mathematician, generally regarded as one of the greatest mathematicians of all time for his contributions to number theory, geometry, probability theory, geodesy, planetary astronomy, the theory of functions, and potential theory …
5,050. Gauss' next discovery was in a totally different area of In 1801, astronomers had discovered what they position, so that it was easily rediscovered.