Boosting Math Positivity: 3 Effective Strategies

Boosting Math Positivity: 3 Effective Strategies

Boosting Math Positivity

Neurological Insights and Strategies for Elementary & Middle School Math

 

How can you boost math positivity at home and in the classroom?

(Image: Mashup Math via Getty)

 

From a neurological perspective, the way that we present math to kids makes a world of difference in terms of how it contributes to their mental development.

Before students can dive into the exciting world of mathematics, they need to feel comfortable about the subject as a whole. When it comes to helping kids ease into mathematics, the learning environment created by the teacher must make students feel safe, valued, and included. Additionally, it is crucial that students learn to be resilient when working on math problems and that they have a strong set of problem-solving strategies to work with. Under the right conditions, teachers can set their students up for success by creating an environment where students can process new information through their brain’s emotional filters before redirecting it to their prefrontal cortex (PFC), which is the brain’s hub for high-level and high-order thinking. The more experience students gain in using their PFC to learn math, the better off they will be in all subjects, since the PFC is where critical and analytical thinking occurs.

If you are interested in how mathematics can be taught in such a way that helps students to develop their PFC, below are a few helpful strategies.

Nurturing Math Positivity: Starting at Home

 

Boosting math positivity starts at home.

Photo by Jessica Lewis - thepaintedsquare on Unsplash

 

Parents often put a lot of pressure on kids to do well in math. But making the subject extremely stressful often does more harm than good and results in kids’ developing lasting negative attitudes about the subject as a whole.

For parents at home, a strategy for boosting math positivity is to hold regular family math meetings with your kids.

These family math meetings are a great opportunity for parents and caretakers to apply what they know about the negative effects of academic pressure and stress. This insight can be shared with children in the form of conversations about how they generally feel about their education at any given point in time. In these meetings, it is the parents’ job to facilitate conversations that will help students to develop and maintain positive attitudes about learning math and why making mistakes is actually a positive thing, since mistakes are the stepping stones along the path of learning (i.e. learning with a growth mindset).

Also, parents can play the important role of being a positive proponent of math in their kids’ lives. By finding ways to make math relevant and related to their child’s interests, you can reinforce the idea that mathematics is not only relevant to real life, but useful and exciting as well.

For example, parents can show their kids how mathematics is used to develop video games, sports, fashion, or other real-world math connections. When parents connect math to real life, their kids learn to see the subject as more practical and fun.

 

Giving students an opportunity for retest after a poor performance can help restore their sense of control. Photo by Santi Vedrí on Unsplash

 

Reset and Re-Test When Necessary

As for helping students in the classroom, teachers should consider allowing students the opportunity to retest after a poor performance. Why? Because having a solid foundation in mathematics is crucial for future success, and giving students the opportunity to retest allows them restore a sense of control of their learning and keeps them from falling behind. When students are given the opportunity to retest, they are able to review, learn from past mistakes, and actually reinforce their understanding of whatever the topic is.

And, since math topics typically build upon each other, it will greatly reduce their chances of falling so far behind that they can never get caught back up. The goal of retesting is not just to improve a student’s grades—it is about making sure that your students are set up to succeed and are given every opportunity to learn the material and develop into skilled thinkers, problem-solvers, and mathematicians.

Many teachers require students to show some sort of proof that they deserve a chance to retest, which is a strategy that may work well for your classroom. Examples of such proof include tutoring sessions, extra help attendance, or taking practice tests online. Such requirements make students more vested and accountable in their learning. You can also take the average of the first test and the retest to prevent students from not taking the first version seriously.

 

Parents and teachers can make math interesting for students by showing them how it applies to the real world. Photo by Zach Wear on Unsplash

 

Taking Mathematics Beyond the Classroom

If you really want to get your students interested and excited about learning math, then you will have to capture their imaginations and sense of wonder. Great math teachers know how to present math as an incredibly useful and practical tool that can be used in all areas of life, rather than just a boring school subject.

By showing how math applies to everything around us, students begin to see learning math as relevant, exciting, and worthwhile. This is yet another strategy that can be used to help your kids develop positive attitudes towards learning math.

Keep these strategies in mind as you work towards building math positivity at home and/or in your classroom. If we want our students to stick with math and take advantage everything the subject has to offer, then fostering positive attitudes about math must be a top priority.

Keywords: Math Positivity, Elementary & Middle School Math, Neurological Insights, Math Strategies, Prefrontal Cortex, Family Conferences, Retests in Math, Real-world Math Applications

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When Was Chess Invented and Where Did It Originate?

When Was Chess Invented and Where Did It Originate?

When Was Chess Invented and Where Did It Originate?

The History of Chess: Who Invented The Game of Kings?

 

When Was Chess Invented and Where Did It Originate?

 

The prominent sound of a marble pawn dragging across the surface of a smooth chessboard resonates throughout the room as you move your pawn forward, starting off the intense battle of mental strategy that is the game of chess.

As you play against your opponent and contemplate your next strategic move, you are engaging in an ancient tradition with a history spanning over a millennium. It’s no wonder why those who love and appreciate the game often wonder “when was chess invented?” and “who invented chess?”

In today’s post, we will explore the enchanting history of the game of chess, tracing its origin and evolution from its birth at the time of the ancient civilizations and to its existence as we know it today.

 

When was chess invented and how did it become the game as we know it today?

 

When and Where Did Chess Originate?

Exploring the answer to the questions, “When was chess invented?,” we have to travel back approximately 1,500 years into the past, where the earliest form of the game of chess is believed by historians to have originated from the Gupta Empire in Northern India in the 6th century.

The earliest form of the game was called Chaturanga and it was centered on strategy and military tactics where each game piece represented a different branch of the military.

Considered in ancient times to be a simulation of war, Chaturanga utilized an 8x8 square game board similar to the chess board that is used today. However, unlike chess, the original game involved the use of dice, which were used to determine which piece a player was allowed to move. Also, the game pieces had different movements and the game itself required four players instead of two.

However, this original version of the game would continue to evolve as the use of dice would eventually cease as the game would continue to evolve into what we now call chess, which is primarily focused on strategy and skill rather than chance.

How Old is the Game of Chess?

Answer: The game of chess, in its original form, is approximately 1,500 years old.

 

Who invented chess? The earliest form of the game of chess was called Chaturanga and it originated in Northern India during the 6th century. It was played on an 8x8 board and focused on military strategy and chance.

 

Who Invented Chess in Its Early Forms?

As trade routes and military conquest expanded the Gupta Empire, the game known as chaturanga eventually made its way to Persia, where it evolved into its next iteration—a game called shantranj.

The iteration known as shantranj made changes to the rules of the game and the movements of the pieces. Most notably, the Persians changed the game so that it was played between only two players rather than four.

Given the contributions of the Persians, many believe that the answer to the question, "Who invented chess in its early forms?" is not a straightforward one. Scholars credit both the Indian introduction of the game chaturanga and its evolution into the game shantranj by the Persians as playing a crucial role in evolving chess into the strategy game that we know today.

 

Who Invented Chess in Its Early Forms? The Persians transformed chaturanga into a game known as shantranj, which changed the rules and the movements of the pieces.

 

How Old Is Chess in its Modern Form?

Shatranj quickly became popular in the Muslim world and it wasn’t long before the game made its way to Europe around the 10th century.

The introduction of the game to Europe marks a major milestone in the history of chess, as Europeans contributed significant changes to the game between the 10th and 15th centuries. During this era, the modern Queen, Bishop, and Pawn game pieces movement patterns were established and are still used hundreds of years later in the modern version of chess.

The game of chess and its modern rules were essentially established in Europe by the end of the 15th century. It was during this time that the foundation of advanced game strategy and theory was born and gave way to the rise of chess Grandmasters—players who are recognized for their superior skill and accomplishment in the game of chess.

Eventually, modern organizations like the World Chess Federation (FIDE) were formed and the game’s international popularity would explode as international tournaments became widespread.

By the 20th century, the world would see the rise of chess legends including Anatoly Karpov, Bobby Fischer, and Garry Kasparov, all of whom pushed the boundaries of chess strategy and theory to new heights.

 

How Old Is Chess in its Modern Form? The Europeans would contribution significant changes to the game between the 10th and 15th centuries

 

Chess in the 21st Century: Tradition Meets Technology

Deep into the 21st century, chess remains extremely popular on a global scale.

While the game remains true to its ancient traditions, it is also ever-evolving due to the role of modern technology. One of the most incredible developments to the evolution to the game of chess is the application of advanced computing power programs that are capable of evaluating millions of moves and positions in fractions of a second, which allows them to play astronomical amounts of games, learn advanced strategy, and continue to improve.

Such programs have become formidable and often unbeatable opponents for even the best players in the world.

Additionally, the rise of digital chess platforms has made the game more accessible than ever, as players can compete against human or computer opponents on websites, video games, and apps like Chess.com. With the ability to play chess anytime and anywhere, the popularity of The Game of Kings is higher than ever.

 

How old is the game of chess?

 

Conclusion

Despite the evolution of the game of chess to its original form, Chaturanga, from 1,500 years ago to the modern version that we know today, the traditional spirit of the game remains intact. The mental strategies and military-like tactics that have been developed over centuries continue to form the true core of chess, and earning the title of Grandmaster remains an incredibly prestigious title.

In the 21st century, the game of chess is now a wonderfully dynamic combination of tradition, timelessness, and technology, as the game continues to adapt and evolve while holding true to its ancient roots.

Keep Learning:

Chess is a Sport—Here’s Why

Can the game of chess be considered a sport? On one hand, many see chess as merely a game of intense strategy and intellectual skill. For others, chess is clearly a sport due to its competitive nature and high stakes competitive nature.

Chess is a Sport—Here's Why

Chess is a Sport—Here's Why

Is Chess a Sport, a Game, or Both?

Learn Why The Game of Kings is Indeed a Sport

 

Is Chess a Sport? Photo by Tanner Mardis on Unsplash

 

While most would agree that chess is a game, many disagree on whether or not chess is a sport. The debate over whether or not chess is considered a sport is polarizing. On one hand, many see chess as a game of intense strategy and intellectual skill. For others, chess is clearly a sport due to its high stakes and competitive nature.

Today’s post takes a deep dive into whether or not chess is a sport and what makes the Game of Kings different from other games.

Is Chess a Sport? The Answer is Yes Because…

Those who say that chess is a sport have a strong argument based on several factors. For starters, the game of Chess is officially recognized as a mind sport by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The inclusion of chess is especially interesting since poker is not considered a sport by the IOC. According to the IOC, Chess is a sport because the game requires immense skill, mental acuity, strategic thinking, and even lasting physical endurance required to remain focused for the duration of matches that can last for hours.

Another common reason given to support chess being a sport is the extreme competitive nature of the game. Like many sports, chess championships are structured into tournaments where players must continue to defeat opponents to move on and eventually become a champion. Those who win chess tournaments can earn prestigious titles, fame, and oftentimes large amounts of prize money.

 

Chess is officially recognized as a mind sport by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Mashup Math FP

 

Also, chess’s required mental endurance is often compared to the physical demands of traditional sports. To become a chess champion, one needs to have peak concentration, strategic thinking, and mental stamina. It’s no coincidence that these same attributes are found in world class athletes.

Is Chess a Sport? The Answer is No Because…

While one can make a strong case that chess is a sport, many still do not classify it as such.

Critics argue that the absence of physical activity in chess (the game is typically played sitting down) precludes it from being considered a sport. Unlike most sports, chess does not require cardiovascular stamina, physical strength, agility, or hand-eye coordination. Additionally, while the IOC does consider chess to be a mind sport, the game of chess is not actually included in the Olympic Games and there is no Gold Medal awarded for chess performance.

Those opposed to chess being considered a sport also argue that just because an activity is competitive does not automatically classify it as a sport. Such critics cite activities such as Math Olympiad and Debate Meets that are considered highly competitive, yet are clearly not sports.

 

The term mind sport is a better classification because it incorporates the high level of mental skill required to be successful and it acknowledges skills such problem-solving, quick thinking, and long-term strategy. Photo by Kit (formerly ConvertKit) on Unsplash

 

The Final Verdict: Chess is a Sport Because…

In our opinion, the easiest way to officially decide whether or not chess is a sport is to lean on the term mind sport used by the IOC to classify the game of chess.

Yes, chess is a sport, but not in the way that physical games such as basketball, baseball, or soccer are. The term mind sport is a better classification because it incorporates the high level of mental skill required to be successful and it acknowledges skills such problem-solving, quick thinking, and long-term strategy.

In this unique way, we can say that chess is a sport and we can also better appreciate the game’s skillful, mental, and competitive nature despite the absence of physical demands required to be successful in most traditional sports.

Chess: More Than a Sport?

Are you now convinced that chess is a sport? Whether or not you consider chess to be a game, a sport, or a mind sport is relatively inconsequential.

The truth is that chess likely falls into its own category since it is such a timeless and unique game, which is why it has been played for centuries. The game of chess teaches one to think strategically, utilize misdirection, practice patience, and make careful and thoughtful decisions. All of these traits are incredibly valuable in any pursuit, including traditional sports, which is why coaching strategy is often compared to a game of chess!

So, even if chess is not considered a sport in your book, it should certainly be considered a worthwhile pursuit no matter what your arena of choice may be.

 

Is Chess a Sport? Unlike most sports, chess does not require cardiovascular stamina, physical strength, agility, or hand-eye coordination. Photo by Joel Heard on Unsplash

 

Conclusion

The question, "Is chess a sport?" can be debated at length and there really is no definitive answer that will be agreed upon by everyone. However, no matter how you classify the game of chess, you must give credit to its staying power (the game has been extremely popular for centuries), its unique combination of mental strategy, skill, and competitiveness, and its helpfulness in nearly all of life’s pursuits.

Whether you classify chess as a game, an art, a timeless pastime, or a sport, the magic of the game will continue to endure.

 

Is Chess a Sport? Even if chess is not considered a sport in your book, it should certainly be considered a worthwhile pursuit. Photo by Ahmed Sheraz on Unsplash

 

Keep Learning:

How to Set Up a Chess Board

In this short guide on how to set up a chess board, we will walk you through setting up your board step-by-step so that you can position all of your pieces in the correct spots on your chess board and be ready to play a game of chess in just a few minutes.

How to Set Up a Chess Board—Explained

How to Set Up a Chess Board—Explained

How to Set Up a Chess Board Step-by-Step

Your Quick Guide to a Correct Chess Board Setup

 

How to Set Up a Chess Board the Correct Way (Image: Mashup Math via Getty)

 

Have you ever been confused about where to start when setting up a chess board? If so, you are not alone, as it is extremely common to forget the positions of a correct chess board setup, especially when you don’t play very often. Luckily, correctly setting up a chess board is a relatively easy task. If you can apply a few simple rules, then the entire setup process can be easy and straightforward.

In this short guide on how to set up a chess board, we will walk you through setting up your board step-by-step so that you can position all of your pieces in the correct spots on your chess board and be ready to play a game of chess in just a few minutes. This guide also includes a link to download a free PDF reference sheet that you can print out and use as a guide whenever you need it.

In addition to the written directions below, this guide also includes image diagrams that you can reference while setting up your chess board. You may want to have this guide handy while you are actually setting up your board. Are you ready to get started?

How to Set Up a Chess Board

 

The Standard Chess Board

 

Before we learn how to set up the pieces on a chess board, let’s take a look at the features of an actual chessboard. The board is an 8x8 grid with 64 squares, alternating between light colors and dark colors. There are an equal amount of light squares as there are dark squares: 32 of each.

Now that you are familiar with the chess board, are you ready to learn how to correctly set up a chess board?

The first step is to make sure that the chess board is facing in the right direction. Whenever playing chess, the lower-right square must always be a light-colored square. To make sure that your board is aligned correctly, make sure that, from the player’s perspective, that the right-most square in the first-row facing you is light-colored. If it is not, then rotate your board clockwise by 90 degrees.

The diagram below shows a chess board that is correctly oriented and one that is incorrectly oriented.

 

Chess Board Setup Step One: The lower-right square must always be light-colored.

 

Chessboard Setup: The Pieces and Their Names

Once your chess board is oriented correctly, it’s time to set up the pieces.

Chess Board Setup: Know the Pieces and Their Names (Image: Mashup Math FP)

Each player starts a game of chess with 16 total pieces:

  • 8 Pawns

  • 2 Rooks

  • 2 Knights

  • 2 Bishops

  • 1 Queen

  • 1 King


Each piece has a specific starting spot on the chess board. All of the pieces go on the bottom two rows (the first player’s pieces) and the top two rows (the second player’s pieces).

The following instructions are the same for both the dark set of pieces and the light set of pieces. For the sake of simplicity, the diagrams below will show you how to set up both players chess pieces so that both players pieces are correctly positioned before you start playing a game.

 

Chess Board Setup: Player Perspective

 

How to Set Up a Chess Board Step #1: Position the Queens

The first step to setting up a chess board is to correctly position the Queens.

Position the Light Queen on the center-most light square and the Dark Queen is positioned directly across from her on the center-most dark square, as shown in the figure below.

It is very important that the Queens are facing each other and are on a colored square that corresponds with the color of the game pieces (i.e. the light queen goes on a light square and the dark queen goes on a dark square).

 

How to Set Up a Chess Board: The light queen goes on the center-most light square and the dark queen goes on the center-most dark square. The queens should be directly across from each other.

 

How to Set Up a Chess Board Step #2: Position the Kings

The entire process of setting up a chess board gets easier once you have correctly positioned the queens.

The next step is to place the King at the Queen’s side at the center of the board.

 

Chess Board Setup: The Queen will always go on the center-most square that matches her own color and the King goes on the remaining center-most square at her side.

 

How to Set Up a Chess Board Step #3: Complete the First Row

Now that the King and Queen are correctly positioned, the third step is to complete the first row by placing the remaining non-pawn pieces in height order (tallest to shortest) from the center of the first row outwards.

This positioning means that Bishops come first, then the Knights, and finally the Rooks. A good way to remember this positioning is: Bishops next to royalty, then Knights, and Rooks in the corners.

 

Bishops next to royalty, then Knights, and Rooks in the corners.

 

How to Set Up a Chess Board Step #4: Complete the Second Row

The fourth and final step to setting up a chess board is to complete the second row by positioning the Pawns in front of the first row pieces.

The Pawns are your smallest pieces, and lining them up across the second row is simple. Once you have completed this step, your chess board is successfully set up and you are ready to play!

 

How to Set Up a Chess Board: The final step to setting up a chess board is to complete the second row by positioning the Pawns in front of the first row pieces.

 

Chess Board Setup: Quick Reference

That’s all there is to it! We have just successfully set up a chess board with all of the pieces in their correct positions.

If you need some extra help remembering the correct chessboard setup, you can check out the tips below and download and print our free How to Set Up a Chess Board PDF Diagram, which you can keep with your chess pieces and board as a quick reference whenever you want to play.

▶ Click Here to Download Your Free Chess Board Setup Reference Diagram PDF

Click image to preview

How to Set Up a Chess Board: Quick Tips

Many chess players rely on remembering that the Queen loves fashion and always makes sure that her dress matches her square (i.e. she always stands on the color of her piece to start any game). Again, if you can remember to correctly position the Queen, then placing all of the other pieces becomes much easier.

 

Once you have mastered the proper chessboard setup, you are ready to start playing games! Photo by Tanner Mardis on Unsplash

 

You can also improve your ability to quickly and accurately set up a chess board simply by practicing the steps as often as possible. The more that you follow the steps, the quicker you will end up memorizing the proper set up of a chess board (and you will also learn how to identify when a board is set up incorrectly). So, if you have the time, go ahead and complete your chess board setup, then clear the pieces and do it again and again until you feel like an absolute pro.

Before you know it, you’ll be setting up your board and starting games in no time. So, now is the time to gather your chess pieces and your board, set up a game, find a friend to play with, and have some fun!

Keep Learning:

Is Chess a Sport?

The subject of whether or not chess is considered a sport is extremely polarizing. On one hand, many see chess as merely a game of intense strategy and intellectual skill. For others, chess is clearly a sport due to its competitive nature and high stakes competitive nature.

17 Famous Mathematicians in History (and Their Amazing Contributions)

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17 Famous Mathematicians in History (and Their Amazing Contributions)

17 Famous Mathematicians in History

From Ancient Greece to Modern Day, Who are the Top 17 Most Famous Mathematicians?

While the study of mathematics is typically focused on learning how to apply mathematical operations and formulas, it is important to also learn about the history of mathematics to truly appreciate the beauty of the subject.

As the famous Isaac Newton Quote goes:

If I have seen further than others, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.

The giants he is referring to are all of the incredible mathematicians who came before him. Without their contributions to the field of mathematics, he would not have been able to make so many breakthroughs. The field of mathematics as we know it today would not be what it is without countless contributions from various talented mathematicians of various cultural and religious backgrounds, cultures, and genders, who existed during all periods of history.

The stories of famous mathematicians, their discoveries, innovations, and perseverance through adversity serves as an inspiration to math students and enthusiasts around the world, some of whom may seek to make significant contributions of their own.

In this post, we will take a look at the lives and accomplishments of 17 different famous mathematicians from around the world, including famous women mathematicians and famous black mathematicians.

17 Famous Mathematicians in History

Famous Mathematicians #1: Pythagoras

1.) Pythagoras (570 - 490 BC)

The ancient Greek, Pythagoras, is one of the most famous and well-known mathematicians in all of history. He is best known for the Pythagorean Theorem, which continues to serve as one of the cornerstones of the field of geometry. His contributions forever changed the way that mathematicians think about and understand triangular relationships.

Fun Fact: In addition to his works as a mathematicians, Pythagoras also founded a school in Croton (the modern day Crotone region of Southern Italy). The attendees of his school were followers of Pythagoras’ teachings and were known as Pythagoreans. They believed that numbers had mystical properties and that the Earth was actually a sphere that revolved around the sun, way before the heliocentric model was introduced.

Euclid

2.) Euclid (325 - 265 BC)

As a mathematician in ancient Alexandria, Euclid's foundational textbook, 'Elements', unified and expanded the theories and understandings of mathematics and geometry from his time. He is regarded as the Father of Geometry and many of his theorems are still used today.

Fun Fact: Since there is very little information known about Euclid’s personal life from writings or first-hand accounts, many modern scholars speculate that Euclid may not have been just one person, but rather a school or group of mathematicians publishing their work under one common name.

Hypatia of Alexandria

3.) Hypatia (355 - 415 AD)

As the first female mathematician whose life and workings are well-recorded, Hypatia is known for making significant contributions to the fields of mathematics, astronomy, and philosophy. She lived in Alexandria, which was an epicenter of learning and knowledge during the 4th Century, but mathematics was still an incredible male-dominated field. However, despite this adversity, she is remembered for having remarkable perseverance, intellect and courage.

Interesting Fact: In addition to her accomplishments in the fields of math and astronomy, Hypatia is also known for having a tragic death (she was murdered in cold blood by a mob of Christian religious fanatics for being both a pagan and a female intellectual in 415 AD).

Famous Mathematicians #4: Al-Khwarizmi

4.) Muhammad ibn Musa Al-Khwarizmi (780 - 850 AD)

The famous Persian scholar, Muhammad ibn Musa Al-Khwarizmi, made countless profound and lasting contributions to mathematical thought, especially in the field of algebra. His work in the formation of algorithms forms the foundation of algebra as we know it today.

Fun Fact: The word algorithm is derived from Al-Khwarizmi’s name as he is credited with introducing algebraic concepts to the Western world. His name in Latin translated to Algorithmi, which became the title of the algebraic procedures featured in his writings.

Leonardo of Pisa (also known as Fibonacci)

5.) Fibonacci (1170 - 1240)

Also known as Leonardo of Pisa, little is known about the life of the great Italian mathematician known as Fibonacci. However, his mathematical contributions live on in a tremendous way as his famous Fibonacci sequence continues to illuminate the mathematical structures of nature and the natural world.

Fun Fact: Fibonacci is credited with introducing the Hindu-Arabic numeral system to Europe, which eventually led to its widespread acceptance, simplifying and unifying mathematical formulas, equations, and computations.

Famous Mathematicians in History #6: Sophie Germain

6.) Sophie Germain (1776-1831)

Despite facing incredible adversity as a female mathematician in Paris during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Germain persisted and became one of the most famous mathematicians of all time. Her greatest contributions came in the fields of number theory and elasticity theory.

Fun Fact: Despite living during an era when girls were never encouraged to pursue the field of mathematics, Germain taught herself using her father’s math textbooks. Using a fake male name, she wrote letters about mathematics to famous Germain mathematician (and #7 on our list) Carl Friedrich Gauss, who would not discover the true identity of his pen-pal colleague until years later.

Carl Friedrich Gauss

7.) Carl Friedrich Gauss (1777 - 1855)

Often referred to as the Prince of Mathematicians, Carl Friedrich Gauss is one of the most famous mathematicians in history as he made many significant contributions to the study of mathematics including the fields of statistics, differential equations, and number theory.

Fun Fact: Gauss was considered an incredibly talented mathematician from a very young age. When he was only 3 years old, he successfully spotted and corrected an error his father had made while calculating payrolls!

Famous Mathematicians #8: Srinivasa Ramanujan

8.) Srinivasa Ramanujan (1887 - 1920)

Despite having no formal math education or training, Ramanujan, an Indian mathematician, taught himself complex mathematics and became one of the most influential mathematicians who ever lived. Despite his short life, he is well known for his incredible contributions to the fields of number theory, analysis, and continued fractions.

Fun Fact: Ramanujan believed that his mathematical abilities were inspired by the divine and claimed the Hindu goddess Namagiri would share mathematical formulas and equations with him while he was dreaming.

Emmy Noether

9.) Emmy Noether (1882 - 1935)

Emmy Noether, a prominent 20th-century German mathematician, is famous for her revolutionary work in the fields of theoretical physics and abstract algebra.

Fun Fact: One of Noether’s greatest contributions to the field of mathematics was Noether’s Theorem, which links the properties of symmetry with the laws of conservation. Although she would face tremendous opposition to her pursuit of mathematics because of her gender, she is known today as a true trailblazer for women in STEM.

Famous Mathematicians in History #10: Albert Einstein

10.) Albert Einstein (1879 - 1955)

The famous genius, Albert Einstein, is best known for his contributions to the field of theoretical physics, but he made significant contributions to the field of mathematical physics as well, including his groundbreaking theory of relativity, which would forever change the way we think about reality.

Fun Fact: Einstein was a late bloomer in terms of his cognitive abilities. In fact, he did not learn how to properly speak until he was three years old, leading his teachers to believe that he was slow.

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Katherine Johnson

11.) Katherine Johnson (1918 - 2020)

Katherine Johnson was a true trailblazer for women and people of color in STEM. Her mathematical talents and calculations played a crucial role in NASA’s success for several decades, making her one of the most well known and famous mathematicians in history.

Fun Fact: Johnson’s work so well respected and trusted that famous astronaut John Glenn personally requested for her to double-check and verify all computer calculations related to his historic ride into orbit around Earth in 1962.

Alan Turing, despite facing rampant homophobia during his time, made foundational contributions to computer science and cryptography. His work on the Enigma machine during WWII played a crucial role in the Allied victory, making him a true war hero.

12.) Alan Turing (1912 - 1954)

Alan Turing is known as the Father of Modern Computing and his work blazed a trail for modern computers as we know them today. Turing introduced the concept of a universal machine, also known as a Turing machine, that could perform thousands of calculations based on predetermine rules/instructions. Also, Turing is credited with helping the Allies to defeat the Nazis in World Word II, when he helped to decode the German Enigma code.

Fun Fact: Turing developed a test for artificial intelligence, known as the Turing Test, which evaluates whether or not a machine can trick a human into thinking it is human as well.

Famous Mathematicians in History #13: Shakuntala Devi

13.) Shakuntala Devi (1929 - 2013 AD)

Devi, an Indian mathematician and mental calculator, is known as the Human Computer. She belongs on our list of famous mathematicians due to her incredible mental math abilities, which have earned her a place in the Guinness Book of World Records!

Fun Fact: Known for being able to perform incredibly complex mathematical calculations mentally in mere seconds, Devi famously multiplied two randomly chosen 13-digit numbers in her head in under 30 seconds, which was a world record in 1982.

Famous Mathematicians #14: Grigori Perelman

14.) Grigori Perelman (1966 - Present)

Perelman, an accomplished Russian mathematician, is famous for solving the Poincaré conjecture, which was one of the 7 Millennium Prize Problems in 2002. The conjecture essentially states that any finite 3D space that has no boundary is the topical equivalent of a 3D sphere.

Fun Fact: After Perelman’s solution to the Poincaré conjecture was confirmed in 2002, he was awarded a one million dollar prize in addition to the prestigious Fields Medal. However, he declined to accept either award stating that he did not care about money or fame.

Maryam Mirzakhani

15.) Maryam Mirzakhani (1977 - 2017 AD)

Mirzakhani, an decorated and celebrated Iranian mathematician, is the first and only woman to ever win the prestigious Fields Medal for her work in mathematics, namely in the fields of Riemann surfaces and hyperbolic geometry.

Fun Fact: Mirzakhani becoming the first female to win the Fields Medal in 2014 was no small feat, as the award is often considered the Nobel Prize of mathematics.

Terence Tao

16.) Terence Tao (1975 - Present)

Arguably the most famous modern famous mathematician on our list, Terence Tao is known for his substantial breakthroughs and research on the topics of representation theory, harmonic analysis, combinatorics, and partial differential equations.

Fun Fact: Tao, an Australian-American mathematician, won a gold medal in the International Mathematical Olympiad when he was just 13 years old. He would go on to be awarded the Fields Medal for his mathematical contributions in 2006.

17.) Sir Isaac Newton (1643-1727)

Did you really think we weren’t going to include Sir Isaac Newton? Widely considered one of the most influential and famous mathematicians and scientists of all time for his revolutionary contributions to the fields of calculus and astronomy, Newton is most famous for developing the laws of gravity and motion. He is often credited with the development of calculus and is celebrated to this day for paving the way for modern mathematics and physics as we know it today, making him arguably the most famous mathematician in history!

Fun Fact: In addition to his studies in physics and math, Newton also devoted his time to studying alchemy—the ancient practice of trying to turn common medals into gold—and he wrote often on the subject. While the exact cause of his death remains unknown, many believe that it was due to mercury poisoning he incurred while working on an alchemy experiment.

Conclusion

These famous mathematicians and their inspirational stories remind us that mathematics is field of study that has been shaped by the brilliance and perseverance of a diverse and courageous group of thinkers from all walks of life. While this list only featured a small handful of history’s prominent mathematicians, the true history of math includes a rich and forever-growing collection of individuals who have made incredible and lasting contributions to the field of mathematics and STEM as a whole.

 
 

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