Mathematical giants: Archimedes, Newton, Gauss and a possible twentieth century mathematician

Abstract

Scope of Study: The primary purpose of this study was to determine why Archimedes, Newton, and Gauss are considered the greatest mathematicians of all time. A secondary purpose was to evaluate the possibility that some twentieth century mathematician will in time be considered as great as these. Library research was used to obtain information about the lives and mathematical contributions of these three men and the relative development of mathematics in this century. The study is written in narrative style. Facts about the personal lives of these men have been included for coherency.

Findings and Conclusions: Without exception, the writer of mathematical history group Archimedes, Newton, and Gauss together as the three greatest mathematicians of all time. It was interesting to note the hesitancy of these writers to range these three in order of merit. None of the three had a contemporary that approached them in greatness. The contributions made by each to mathematics, both creative and developmental were spectacular and had a profound effect upon succeeding developments in both mathematics and other branches of science. Each understood the complete field of mathematics as it existed in his time. The explosive development and high degree of specialization of mathematics in the twentieth century makes it unlikely, only possible, that there will be a successor to the three giants.