Gauss Essay, Research Paper

Gauss

Gauss was a German scientist and mathematician. People call him the founder of

modern mathematics. He also worked in astronomy and physics. His work in

astronomy and physics is nearly as significant as that in mathematics. Gauss

also worked in crystallography, optics, biostatisics, and mechanics.

Gauss was born on April 30, 1777 in Brunswick. Brunswick is what is now called

West Germany, He was born to peasant couple. Gauss’s father didn’t want Gauss

to go to a University. In elementary school he soon impressed his teacher, who

is said to have convinced Gauss’s father that his son should be permitted to

study with a view toward entering a university. In secondary school nobody

recognize his talent for math and science because he rapidly distinguished

himself in ancient languages. When Gauss was 14 he impressed the duke of

Brunswick with his computing skill. The duke was so impressed that he

generously supported Gauss until his death in 1806.

Gauss conceived almost all his basic mathematical discoveries between the ages

of 14 and 17. In 1791 he began to do totally new and innovative work in

mathematics. In 1793-94 he did intensive research in number theory, especially

on prime number. He made this his life’s passion and is regarded as its modern

founder.

Gauss studied at the University of Gottingen from 1795 to 1798. He soon decided

to write a book on the theory of numbers. It appeared in 1801 under the title

‘Disquisitiones arithmeticae’. This classic work usually is held to be Gauss’s

greatest accomplishment. Gauss discovered on March 30, 1796, that circle, using

only compassses and straightedge the first such discovery in Euclidean

construction in more than 2,00 years.

His interest turned to astronomy in April 1799, and that field occupied his

attention for the remainder of his life. Gauss set up a speedy method for the

complete determination of the elements of a planet’s orbit from just three

observations. He elaborated it in his second major work, a classic in astronomy,

published in 1809. In 1807 he was appointed director of the University of

Gottingen observatory and professor of mathematics, a position he held for life.

Gauss research with Wilheim Weber after 1831. Gauss and Weber research was on

electricity and magnetism. In 1833 they devised an electromagnetic telegraph.

They observations and founded the Magnetic Union in 1836.

In conclusion Carl Friedrich Gauss was well versed in the Greek and Roman

classics, studied Sanskrit, and read extensively in European Literature. In

later years he was showered with honors from scientific bodies and governments

everywhere. He died in Gottingen on Feb. 23, 1855.