Kyle Teng 2/27/2023 Math 151 Biography of Leonhard Euler Leonhard Euler was a Swiss mathematician, physicist, and engineer born on April 15, 1707, in Basel, Switzerland. He was the oldest of six siblings and was raised in a strict religious household by his father, a Reformed Church pastor. His father recognized his early talent in mathematics and began teaching him the subject at home. Euler attended the University of Basel at the age of 14, where he studied mathematics, philosophy, and theology. His academic success led him to earn his master’s degree in 1723, after which he wrote his first paper on the masting of ships. The paper was well-received, and Euler was invited to join the Royal Academy of Sciences in Paris as a member. He was only 21 at the time and became the youngest member in the academy's history. In 1727, Euler moved to St. Petersburg, Russia, to work for the Russian Academy of Sciences. He was appointed as a professor of physics, and his responsibilities included teaching and conducting research. Euler made significant contributions to mathematics and physics during his time in Russia, and he published numerous papers and books on various topics. Euler was fluent in multiple languages, including German, French, and Russian, which helped him communicate with scientists from different parts of the world. Euler's work in mathematics was groundbreaking and had a significant impact on the field. He developed the theory of calculus and introduced the concept of a function. He also introduced the notation for the trigonometric functions we use today, such as sine and cosine. Euler made significant contributions to the study of number theory, geometry, and topology, and he is credited with discovering the formula for the summation of an infinite series. Euler's work in mathematics also extended to the field of graph theory, where he is credited with solving the Seven Bridges of Konigsberg problem. In addition to his work in mathematics, Euler made significant contributions to the study of physics. He developed the theory of optics and made significant contributions to the study of mechanics, particularly the study of the motion of fluids. Euler also made significant contributions to the study of astronomy, where he developed new methods for calculating the orbits of planets and comets. Euler's work in mathematics and physics earned him numerous accolades throughout his life. He was elected to the Royal Society in London in 1744, and he was awarded the Copley Medal in 1748. Euler was also elected to the Berlin Academy of Sciences in 1741, and he received the prestigious Prussian Order of Merit in 1766. Despite his many achievements, Euler faced many challenges throughout his life. He suffered from poor health and nearly died from a fever in 1735. Euler also faced financial difficulties throughout his life, particularly after he lost his sight in 1771. Despite his blindness, Kyle Teng 2/27/2023 Math 151 Euler continued to work with the help of his sons and was able to publish papers and books until his death. Leonhard Euler died on September 18, 1783, in St. Petersburg, Russia, at the age of 76. He left behind an extensive legacy in mathematics and physics, and his work has had a lasting impact on the scientific community. Euler's contributions to the field of mathematics and physics have been celebrated for centuries, and he is regarded as one of the most significant mathematicians in history. Kyle Teng 2/27/2023 Math 151 References Editors, Biography.com. “Leonhard Euler Biography.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 3 Apr. 2014, https://www.biography.com/scientist/leonhard-euler. “Leonhard Euler - Biography.” Maths History, https://mathshistory.standrews.ac.uk/Biographies/Euler/. “Leonhard Euler.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 21 Feb. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Leonhard-Euler. “Leonhard Euler: Lifelong Curiosity.” Elephant Learning, https://www.elephantlearning.com/post/leonhard-euler-lifelongcuriosity?gclid=CjwKCAiAxvGfBhB-EiwAMPakqp9OJogAYQh9UTF9QU3uXHCqdnz_tOQd7_tGxOXAJRH3gdt5mDWNRoC_kUQAvD_BwE.
