Famous Mathematicians and Scientists Quiz

Answer: Rene Descartes

The Cartesian coordinate system, in which geometric shapes can be expressed in algebraic terms is named after Descartes. The quote is taken from his philosophical classic 'Discourse on Method'.

Answer: Euclid of Alexandria

Euclid deduced his theorems from a small basic set of axioms or postulates which were self-evident. These theorems are still the basis of Euclidian geometry today.

Answer: Diophantus of Alexandria

Diophantus wrote a textbook containing algebraic equations. Some 500 years later, a Persian mathematician, al-Kwarizmi was attributed with writing similar works.

Answer: Archimedes of Syracuse

Archimedes drew a very large circle. Archimedes drew regular polygons (straight-sided figures with sides of equal length) around the circle, and inside the circle. He started with 12-sided figures, then 24-sided, 48-sided and finally 96-sided. The small arc lengths approximated to straight lines, so the value of pi could be related to the radius.

The numbers may seem an odd choice, but exactly six chords of length equal to the radius fit exactly inside a circle. Continually halving the length leads to the numbers he chose.

Answer: Pythagoras

Although the 'Pythagorean Theorem' is listed as his work, many believe he drew on knowledge of others, particularly the Babylonians. Pythagoras is believed to be the first to prove the relationship.

Answer: Joseph Louis Lagrange

There are only three countries which have not wholly or partially adopted the metric system. These are: Liberia, Myanmar and United States of America. The metric system was first proposed around the time of the French Revolution. Several people originally involved withe the setting up of metrics were removed, and Lagrange was one to follow through with the process.

Answer: Gas pressures and volumes

Boyle was very keen on gases, and devised an air pump. He wrote a paper denouncing some principles of alchemists, preferring to study the nature of matter.

Answer: first space satellite

Einstein is most famous for the theories of relativity. His work on photon theory, and the photo-electric effect led to many of his later theories.

Answer: Code name for the first atomic explosion at Alamogordo, New Mexico

It is uncertain where the name Trinity came from, although it is thought that one of the developers of the bomb had an interest in Sanskrit literature. Robert Oppenheimer named it, and it is believed to be in reference to the divine Hindu trinity of Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the keeper or preserver) and Shiva (the destroyer). Oppenheimer taught himself to read Sanskrit, and is reported to have recited a passage from The Bhagavad-Gita (a sacred Sanskrit Scripture)
"If the radiance of a thousand suns
Were to burst at once into the sky,
That would be like the splendor of the Mighty One...
I am become Death,
The shatterer of Worlds."

Answer: Blaise Pascal and Wilhelm Schickard

Pascal designed his calculator to assist his father. He had difficulty because the currency at that time was like the UK and Australian currencies prior to decimal currency. There were 12 deniers to a sol and 20 sol to a livre. Those in Australia and the UK will remember 12 pence to a shilling, 20 shillings to a pound.