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A short story of a famous mathematician
From 65438 to 0947, John Forbes Nash Jr. (russell crowe) entered Princeton University to study mathematics. This "mysterious genius from West Virginia" has no pre-school experience, no legacy or rich relatives to help him get into the Ivy League)-but Princeton's most prestigious scholarship proves that he really belongs to the Princeton team. It's not easy for Nash or Princeton. He doesn't care about elegant socializing at all, and he is not interested in class. He is obsessed with only one thing all day: finding a truly creative theory. He is convinced that this is what he should do. The competition in Princeton Mathematics Department is fierce, and some of Nash's classmates are also happy to see Nash fail. But they still tolerated him and encouraged him to become a great man intentionally or unintentionally. One night, he and several classmates had a good time in a local bar. At that time, their reaction to an enthusiastic blonde inspired him. When Nash observed these competitors, the ideas that were often brewing in his mind suddenly became clear. Then he wrote a paper on game theory-"Mathematics in Competition"-which boldly gave different explanations to the theory of Adam Smith, the father of modern economics. This idea, which has been accepted by people for 150 years, suddenly went out of date, and Nash's life changed from then on. Nash later got a research and teaching job at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which everyone coveted, but he was not satisfied. Science played a great role in America's victory in World War II. Now, with the prevalence of the Cold War, Nash is eager to give play to his advantages in this new conflict. His wish came true, and the mysterious William Patcher (Ed Harris) recruited him to take part in a top-secret mission to crack the enemy's password. While working at MIT, Nash devoted himself to this exhausting work. Here, Nash faces a brand-new challenge, but this time the challenge comes from the radiant Alicia Ladd (Jennifer Lynn Connelly), a physics student, who introduces a concept that Nash has never seriously considered-love. Soon, Nash married Alicia, but he couldn't tell her that he was working on a dangerous project for Patcher. A little carelessness in this work will lead to disastrous consequences. Nash has been working silently. He was deeply attracted by his works and finally lost in these irresistible illusions. He was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. What happened to Nash frightened Alicia, who struggled under the weight of the destroyed love of genius. Because every day seems to bring them new fears, the enviable couple lost their enviable share. But Alicia still finds his charm in the man she loves, which is the source of her commitment to him. Nash was moved by her unswerving love and loyalty, and finally decided to fight this disease that was considered incurable and could only be improved. The humble Nash goal is simple, but it is even harder to achieve. Under the pressure of illness, he is still driven by exciting mathematical theory, and he is determined to find his own way back to normal. Absolutely through willpower, he continued to work as usual and won the Nobel Prize with 1994. At the same time, his forward-looking work in game theory has become the most influential theory in the 20th century, and Nash has also become a man with not only good feelings, but also a beautiful heart.

Two outstanding female mathematicians

The first female professor-Sophia? Kovalevskaya

Sophia was born in a noble manor on the border of Lithuania in czarist Russia, and her father was the head of a retired artillery regiment. She has been obsessed with mathematics since she was a child and often looks at the mathematical formulas and symbols on the wall for a long time. It turns out that the wallpaper in her room is made of handouts of advanced mathematics. Sophia was able to independently derive the trigonometric formula at the age of 65,438+04, which was called "neo-Pascal". Over time, she was called "New Pascal". Her interest in mathematics is growing. However, women were not allowed to register for higher education at that time. Her father wanted her to enter the society like other aristocratic girls, which hindered her desire to study mathematics. So, regardless of her parents' objections, Sophia made a "fake marriage" with the young paleontologist Coe Valevski and came to Heidelberg, Germany. But there, women must get the approval of a special Committee to attend classes. After hard work, she was allowed to take part in the basic class. During this period, she was studious and knowledgeable in mathematics, which caused a sensation in Heidelberg and became a topic of discussion. However, she was only allowed to take three semesters of courses, so she had to leave there. Sophia was eager for further study, so she went to Berlin Technical University, intending to attend the class of the famous mathematician Wilstrass. Unfortunately, universities in Berlin don't allow women to listen to professors, and Sophia is rejected everywhere. In the end, she had to go to Wilstrass's house for advice with a glimmer of hope. Wilstras (18 15- 1899) is a respected old mathematician. He met Sophia and asked him some questions about hyperellipses, all at that time. Skilled problem-solving skills and unique thinking methods left a deep impression on the old professor. Therefore, Wilstras made an exception and promised Sophia to take classes at home every Sunday, and she also took one day off every week to teach in her apartment. In this way, Sophia studied under the careful guidance of Wilstrass for four years. Recalling this experience, she said: "This kind of learning has a profound impact on my entire mathematics career. It finally determines the direction of my future research. " Sophia got the encouragement and guidance from Wilstrass, and she had the courage to climb the peak of science. After four years of hard work, she wrote three excellent papers, which aroused strong repercussions. This is an unprecedented initiative. In 2004, at the recommendation of Wilstrass, 24-year-old Sophia was awarded the Goethe University, a first-class university in Germany. Become the world's leading female mathematician. Sophia, who received her doctorate, returned to the motherland with a pure heart, while Russia was as dark as before going abroad. She had no foothold in her motherland and had to return to Berlin. She studied the broken line of light in the crystal according to the suggestion of Wilstrass. At the 1883 Odyssey Science Conference, she made a report with excellent research results. But fate is against her. That spring, her husband committed suicide because of bankruptcy. She was deeply saddened to hear the sad news. She shut herself in her room for four days without eating or drinking, and on the fifth day she was in a coma. Unfortunately, she didn't demoralize Sophia. After waking up on the sixth day, she began to work stubbornly. In Sweden, mathematician Mida? With the help of Leffler, Sophia was able to be a lecturer at Stockholm University after many twists and turns, but the local newspaper publicly criticized her: "It is harmful and unpleasant for women to be professors-even those people are monsters." But Sophia was fearless and walked onto the platform like a man. She won the students' love with vivid lectures and defeated the prejudice of "men are superior to women". She was formally employed as a senior professor of analysis and later as a professor of mechanics. Sophia's term in Sweden ended. She wanted to return to China to teach, but failed, so she had to continue teaching abroad. In 2008+089 1 year, Sophia died because of misdiagnosis of pneumonia. She has worked hard for women's freedom and is a shining example for women to climb the peak of science.

Nord, a female mathematician who grew up in adversity

1933 65438+ 10, Hitler issued the first decree as soon as he came to power, comparing Jews to "demons" and clamoring to crush "the rights of demons". Soon, the University of G? ttingen was ordered to dismiss all people of pure Jewish descent who were engaged in education. Among the scholars who were expelled, there was a woman named Amy? Nord (A.E. Noether1882-1935), a professor in this university, is 5l years old. The lecture she gave was forced to stop, and even her meager salary was cancelled. This woman who has achieved academic success is calm in the face of difficulties because she has spent her life in adversity. Nord grew up to be a Jewish professor of mathematics. I like math since I was a child. 1903, Nord, 2 1 year-old, was admitted to the University of G? ttingen, where he listened to lectures by Klein, Hilbert, Minkowski and others, and formed an indissoluble bond with mathematics. She published several high-quality papers when she was a student. At the age of 25, she became one of the few female doctors in mathematics in the world. Nord has made outstanding contributions to the study of differential inequalities, rings and ideal subgroups. But because of the low status of women at that time, she was not even a lecturer. With the strong support of the great mathematician Hilbert, Nord became the first female lecturer at the University of G? ttingen from Hilbert's "private lecturer". Next, due to her outstanding scientific research achievements and Hilbert's recommendation, she won.

Nord loves mathematics education and is good at inspiring students to think. She has never been married, but she has many children. She keeps close contact with students and is amiable. People affectionately call the students around her "Nord's children". China mathematician Ceng Jiong is one of Nord's "children". Under Hitler's arrogance, Nord was forced to leave the University of G? ttingen and go to work in the United States. In America, she is also respected by students. And her "children". 1934 In September, the United States established a postdoctoral scholarship named after Nord. Unfortunately, Nord died of surgery less than two years after working in the United States at the age of 53. Her death made many math colleagues feel infinite sorrow. Einstein delivered a eulogy at the The New York Times, saying: "According to the judgment of authoritative mathematicians, Ms. Nord is the most important creative mathematician since women received higher education.

The Father of Geometry —— Euclid

The geometry we are studying now was founded by the ancient Greek mathematician Euclid (330 BC-275 BC). The Elements of Geometry, written by him in 300 BC, has been regarded as the standard textbook for studying geometry for more than 2,000 years, so Euclid is called the father of geometry. Born in Athens, Euclid accepted Greek classical mathematics and various scientific cultures, and became a famous scholar at the age of 30. At the invitation of the king of Egypt, he stayed in Alexandria to teach and do research. Mathematics research in ancient Greece has a very long history, and there have been some works on geometry, but all of them discuss a certain aspect and the content is not systematic enough. Euclid collected predecessors' achievements and adopted an unprecedented and unique writing method. First, he put forward definitions, axioms and postulates, then proved a series of theorems from simple to complex, and discussed plane figures and three-dimensional figures, as well as integers, fractions and proportions. , finally completed the masterpiece "Geometry". After the publication of the original, its manuscript has been circulated for 1800 years. After 1482 was printed and published, it was reprinted about 1000 times, and it was also translated into major languages in the world. /kloc-was introduced to China in the 3rd century and soon lost. The first six volumes were retranslated in 1607, and the last nine volumes were retranslated in 1857. Euclid was good at solving complex problems with simple methods. He measured the length of the shadow of the pyramid at the moment when the figure of a person was just equal to the height, and solved the big problem of the height of the pyramid that no one could solve at that time. He said: "At this time, the length of the tower shadow is the height of the pyramid." Euclid was a gentle and honest educator. Euclid was also a rigorous scholar. He opposes opportunism and the pursuit of fame and fortune in his studies, and the style of opportunism and quick success. Although Euclid simplified his geometry, the king (Ptolemy) still didn't understand and wanted to find a shortcut to learn geometry. Euclid said: "In geometry, everyone can only take one road, and there is no paved road for the king." This sentence has become an eternal learning motto. Once, one of his students asked him, what are the benefits of studying geometry? He said humorously to his servant, "Give him three coins because he wants to get real benefits from his study."

Feng, one of the most outstanding mathematicians in the 20th century? Newman. As we all know, the electronic computer invented by 1946 has greatly promoted the progress of science and technology and social life. Neumann played a key role in the invention of electronic computer, and he was praised as "the father of computer" by westerners. 5438+09 1 1 year-192 1 year, Feng? When Neumann was studying in Lu Se Lun Middle School in Budapest, he became famous and was highly valued by teachers. Under Fichte's individual guidance, he co-published his first mathematical paper. At this time, Feng? Neumann is under 18.

Galois was born in a town not far from Paris. His father is the headmaster of the school and has served as mayor for many years. The influence of family makes Galois always brave and fearless. 1823, 12-year-old galois left his parents to study in Paris. Not content with boring classroom indoctrination, he went to find the most difficult mathematics original research by himself. Some teachers also helped him a lot. Teachers' evaluation of him is "only suitable for working in the frontier field of mathematics".

Archimedes was born in Syracuse, Sicily, at the southern tip of the Italian peninsula in 287 BC. Father is a mathematician and astronomer. Archimedes had a good family upbringing since childhood. 1 1 years old, was sent to study in Alexandria, the cultural center of Greece. In this famous city known as the "Capital of Wisdom", Archimedes Job collected books and learned a lot of knowledge, and became a protege of Euclid students erato Sese and Cannon, studying geometric elements.

Zu Chongzhi's outstanding achievement in mathematics is about the calculation of pi. Before the Qin and Han Dynasties, people used "the diameter of three weeks a week" as pi, which was called "Gubi". Later, it was found that the error of Gubi was too large, and the pi should be "the diameter of a circle is greater than the diameter of three weeks". However, there are different opinions on how much is left. Until the Three Kingdoms period, Liu Hui put forward a scientific method to calculate pi-"secant" which approximated the circumference of a circle with the circumference inscribed by a regular polygon. Liu Hui calculated the circle inscribed with a 96-sided polygon and got π=3. 14, and pointed out that the more sides inscribed with a regular polygon, the more accurate the π value obtained. On the basis of predecessors' achievements, Zu Chongzhi devoted himself to research and repeated calculations. It is found that π is between 3. 14 15926 and 3. 14 15927, and the approximate value in the form of π fraction is obtained as the reduction rate and density rate, where the six decimal places are 3. 14 1929. There's no way to check now. If he tries to find it according to Liu Hui's secant method, he must work out 16384 polygons inscribed in the circle. How much time and labor it takes! It is obvious that his perseverance and wisdom in academic research are admirable. It has been more than 1000 years since foreign mathematicians obtained the same result in the secrecy rate calculated by Zu Chongzhi. In order to commemorate Zu Chongzhi's outstanding contribution, some mathematicians abroad suggested that π = be called "ancestral rate".

Born in 624 BC, Ju Lushi was the first famous mathematician in ancient Greece. He used to be a shrewd businessman. After he accumulated considerable wealth by selling olive oil, Cyrus devoted himself to scientific research and travel. He is diligent and studious, at the same time, he is not superstitious about the ancients, and he is brave in exploration, creation and positive thinking. His hometown is not too far from Egypt, so he often travels to Egypt. There, Ju Lushi learned about the rich mathematical knowledge accumulated by ancient Egyptians for thousands of years. When he traveled in Egypt, he calculated the height of the pyramids in a clever way, which made the ancient Egyptian king Amerasis admire him very much.