Now there exist on every hand such notable instances of this fact, that, in order to prove its truth, we have no need at all of a number of examples nay rather one's task should be this, namely, in any field of Natural Science whatsoever to study that quantity which takes on a maximum or a minimum value, an occupation that seems to belong to philosophy rather than to mathematics. Wherefore there is absolutely no doubt that every effect in the universe can be explained as satisfactorily from final causes, by the aid of the method of maxima and minima, as it can from the effective causes themselves. For since the fabric of the universe is most perfect, and is the work of a most wise Creator, nothing whatsoever takes place in the universe in which some relation of maximum and minimum does not appear. Introduction to De Curvis Elasticis, Additamentum I to his Methodus Inveniendi Lineas Curvas Maximi Minimive Proprietate Gaudentes 1744 translated on pg10-11, "Leonhard Euler's Elastic Curves", Oldfather et al 1933Ĭontext: All the greatest mathematicians have long since recognized that the method presented in this book is not only extremely useful in analysis, but that it also contributes greatly to the solution of physical problems. He spent most of his adult life in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and in Berlin, then the capital of Prussia.Ī statement attributed to Pierre-Simon Laplace expresses Euler's influence on mathematics: "Read Euler, read Euler, he is the master of us all." Wikipedia
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His collected works fill 92 volumes, more than anyone else in the field. He is also widely considered to be the most prolific mathematician of all time. He is also known for his work in mechanics, fluid dynamics, optics, astronomy and music theory.Euler was one of the most eminent mathematicians of the 18th century and is held to be one of the greatest in history. He also introduced much of the modern mathematical terminology and notation, particularly for mathematical analysis, such as the notion of a mathematical function. In 1773, his wife of 40 years, Katharina died, and three years later, he married Salome Abigail Gsell, his wife’s half-sister.Leonhard Euler was a Swiss mathematician, physicist, astronomer, geographer, logician and engineer who made important and influential discoveries in many branches of mathematics, such as infinitesimal calculus and graph theory, while also making pioneering contributions to several branches such as topology and analytic number theory. As part of the deal, he was offered a 3,000 ruble annual salary, high-ranking appointments for his sons and a pension for his wife. During this time, political stability had been restored in Russia. In 1766, Leonhard Euler was again invited and went back to St. Because his mind remained highly agile, he, with some assistance, continued his scientific work and even published scores of articles. The loss of his sight, however, did not affect him. After an operation, he failed to allow for proper recuperation, and as a result, he completely lost his sight in early the 1770s. Unfortunately, all but five of their children died in their childhood.ĭue to his cartography work, Euler suffered overexertion and fever which hampered his ability to see with his left eye and later developed a cataract in his right eye. The couple lived by the Neva River in a house they bought after marriage and were blessed with a total of 13 children. Leonhard Euler married his wife, and the daughter of George Gsell, Katharina Gsell on 7th January 1734. He was the first child of his parents and had two sisters, Ann Maria and Maria Magdalena, and a brother, Johann Heinrich who also became a mathematician. Leonhard Euler was born on April 15th, 1707 in Basel, Switzerland to Reverend Paul Euler, a pastor of the Reformed Church, and his wife Marguerite Brucker, a pastor’s daughter. He worked in trigonometry, geometry, algebra, number theory among others (almost all areas of mathematics).Īpart from his contributions to mathematics, Leonhard Euler is also known for his excellent work in fluid dynamics, mechanics, music theory and astronomy.
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Having developed many concepts that are part of modern mathematics, including graph theory and infinitesimal calculus, together with his contributions to several branches like analytic theory and topology, Euler was, indeed, a great scholar.
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He is one of the rare mathematicians who is revered even by Physicists.
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Many people around the world unanimously agree that Leonhard Euler was not only the greatest mathematician of the 18th Century but also the most prolific of all time.