The Frontiers of Space

In this episode we focus on the works of different mathematicians and their ground breaking discoveries that led to the inventions of our modern world. Ranging from classy towns in Europe to Cold Alps in Russia, great mathematicians can be found anywhere.

Piero imported his understanding in mathematics and perspective to his artworks. One example is the flagulation of Christ, giving us the sense of depth and the illusions of 3 dimensions into 2 dimensions. One village was named after a mathematician named Descartes. He realized that philosophical ideas can be explained by numbers and numerical values. Descartes also revealed the connection between algebra and geometry and shapes in real life can be made into equations and numbers.  Another mathematician had a passion for math, Fermat.His theory on prime numbers state that if you have a prime number which you divided by four leaves remainder one which Fermat proved that you can rewrite this as two square numbers added together provided it has remainder one if divided by four. His interest in finding out patterns contributed to many of our modern day use of technology but there are mathematicians which even have a greater impact on our lives today.  An excellent mathematician Isaac Newtown was famous for his three laws of motion but few people know about his revolutionary approach to math, the calculus. The calculus can allow us to make sense the exact speed and precise distance at any moment in time. Newton refused to publish his discoveries and just made it known to his colleagues.  One mathematician wasn’t afraid of publishing his work, when Leibnitz found calculus he wasn’t hesitant on publishing it, numerous mathematicians heard about the calculus first from him, not Newton.  Newton maybe the inventor of calculus but Leibnitz revolutionized calculus and expanded its full potential and his maths today are still the one we use. The Bernoulli’s are a dynasty of mathematicians wasn’t just disciples of Leibnitz they were accountable for even more discoveries in calculus such as finding a way to get from place to another in the fastest way possible.

Ouiler discovered our modern day mathematics, using the numbers e or i, made new equations and formulas, contributions to different branches of physics, and wrote textbooks on mechanics. He was most famous for calculating infinite sums called the barzle problem. The term Prince of Mathematics was coined to Carl Fredrick Gauss, an egocentric yet incredible mathematician, he explained clearly how imaginary numbers work and the potential of it was unleashed. Gauss was very famous in his time and countless young inspiring mathematicians sent in their works but his individualistic nature discouraged many to pursue mathematics. A mathematician named Bolyai started to think differently, his imaginary geometry made perfect mathematical sense, Bolyai published his work and Gauss quickly read it. With Gauss’ personality he didn’t praise he young boy. The boy was disheartened. A revolutionary mathematician named Reeman broke the boundaries of 2d and 3d space and went beyond. He saw the world differently and higher dimensional geometry appeared. Multidimensional mathematics appeared and used by our modern technology especially useful in space and space exploration.

                We are thankful for these mathematicians and their discoveries for they had allowed us to go beyond our own planet, we have travelled space and there are probes that go beyond our solar systems and other planets. Their pioneering mathematics swept away our ignorance on our understanding our infinity universe.