Math's Greatest Minds Trivia Quiz
Working with a infinitely large set of numbers, mathematicians are able to prove some of the most insane concepts. See if you know the great minds behind some of the concepts we learn of and use today.
A multiple-choice quiz
by dijonmustard.
Estimated time: 6 mins.
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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Which mathematician proved the famous formula e^(i*pi) + 1 = 0?
Answer:
Leonhard Euler
"Euler's Identity" is one of the most famous formulas in the world of mathematics, as it ties together the five most important constants: 0, 1, pi, and the imaginary i.
"Euler's Identity" is one of the most famous formulas in the world of mathematics, as it ties together the five most important constants: 0, 1, pi, and the imaginary i.
2. Which mathematician had worked with number theory and claimed to have found that x^n + y^n = z^n has no positive integer solutions if n is greater than 2?
Answer:
Pierre de Fermat
Fermat's theory came to be known as "Fermat's Last Theorem". During Fermat's life, no one had proven it, but Fermat did write: "I have discovered a truly remarkable proof which this margin is too small to contain." In the past decades, however, Andrew Wiles had proven the theorem.
Fermat's theory came to be known as "Fermat's Last Theorem". During Fermat's life, no one had proven it, but Fermat did write: "I have discovered a truly remarkable proof which this margin is too small to contain." In the past decades, however, Andrew Wiles had proven the theorem.
3. Which mathematician had published "The Elements", and has influenced the study of geometry for around 2000 years?
Answer:
Euclid
In his book, "The Element", Euclid of Alexandria gave five postulates that set the basis for Euclidian geometry. However, it was only by the 19th century that Euclid's last postulate was proven to be false, giving the way for non-Euclidian geometry.
In his book, "The Element", Euclid of Alexandria gave five postulates that set the basis for Euclidian geometry. However, it was only by the 19th century that Euclid's last postulate was proven to be false, giving the way for non-Euclidian geometry.
4. Which mathematician had developed the "method of indivisibles" and published "Geometria Indivisibilis"?
Answer:
Bonaventura Cavalieri
Cavalieri's "method of indivisibles" states that a geometric plane contains infinitesimally small rectangles, which would allow Cavalieri to find the area of a shape quickly. The book's full name is "Geometria Indivisibilibus Continuorum Nova Quadam Ratione Promota", and was harshly criticized because mathematicians believed Cavalieri's method was absurd.
Cavalieri's "method of indivisibles" states that a geometric plane contains infinitesimally small rectangles, which would allow Cavalieri to find the area of a shape quickly. The book's full name is "Geometria Indivisibilibus Continuorum Nova Quadam Ratione Promota", and was harshly criticized because mathematicians believed Cavalieri's method was absurd.
5. Which mathematician had studied the involute of a circle, and used this knowledge to patent the first pendulum clock?
Answer:
Christiaan Huygens
Huygens' work with clocks greatly improved the accuracy of clocks. He also discovered the true shape of the rings of Saturn. Huygens eventually isolated himself in Holland, and continued to study outer space and had even proposed the existence of extraterrestrial beings.
Huygens' work with clocks greatly improved the accuracy of clocks. He also discovered the true shape of the rings of Saturn. Huygens eventually isolated himself in Holland, and continued to study outer space and had even proposed the existence of extraterrestrial beings.
6. Which mathematician, at the age of 18, proved (or to be more precise, reproved) that for every n there is a prime between n and 2n.
Answer:
Paul Erdos
This had first been proved by Bertrand in the 1700s, but Erdos' solution is more elegant and thus he has become famously within association with the theorem.
This had first been proved by Bertrand in the 1700s, but Erdos' solution is more elegant and thus he has become famously within association with the theorem.
7. Which mathematician had studied binomial coefficients, published a book on it, and had a "triangle" named after him?
Answer:
Blaise Pascal
Although Pascal was not the first to study "Pascal's Triangle", this was his most famous work. His studies later helped Sir Isaac Newton discover the binomial theorem.
Although Pascal was not the first to study "Pascal's Triangle", this was his most famous work. His studies later helped Sir Isaac Newton discover the binomial theorem.
8. Which mathematician is remembered for his theorem (cos x + i sin x)^n = (cos nx + i sin nx)?
Answer:
Abraham de Moivre
(cos x + i sin x) can also be abbreviated to cis x. De Moivre's theorem opened the way for a greater study of complex numbers. Despite his successes in trigonometry and complex numbers, he died in poverty.
(cos x + i sin x) can also be abbreviated to cis x. De Moivre's theorem opened the way for a greater study of complex numbers. Despite his successes in trigonometry and complex numbers, he died in poverty.
9. Which mathematician was the first to factor out (2^67 - 1) using quadratic remainders?
Answer:
Frank Nelson Cole
By factoring out that number, Cole was able to disprove Mersenne's perfect number expression: 2^p - 1. It was at a mathematical convention that Cole took his time in multiplying out the factors by hand in order to prove Mersenne wrong.
By factoring out that number, Cole was able to disprove Mersenne's perfect number expression: 2^p - 1. It was at a mathematical convention that Cole took his time in multiplying out the factors by hand in order to prove Mersenne wrong.
10. Which mathematician's most famous work is a formula that can be used to find the area of a triangle with just the lengths of the sides?
Source: Author dijonmustard
Answer:
Heron
Heron's formula is A^2 = s*(s - a)*(s - b)*(s - c). s is just the sum of the sides' lengths over divided by two.
Heron's formula is A^2 = s*(s - a)*(s - b)*(s - c). s is just the sum of the sides' lengths over divided by two.
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor DakotaNorth before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.
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3/30/2024, Copyright 2024 FunTrivia, Inc.
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