Pierre de Fermat
- Born:
- August 17, 1601, Beaumont-de-Lomagne, France
- Died:
- January 12, 1665, Castres, France
- Nationality:
- French
- Profession(s):
- Lawyer, Civil Servant, Mathematician
Early Life and Education
- Fermat received his early education at home and later attended a Franciscan monastery in Beaumont-de-Lomagne.
- He studied law at the University of Toulouse before moving to Bordeaux.
- He obtained a degree in civil law from the University of Orléans in 1631.
Career and Major Achievements
- Fermat worked as a lawyer and government official for the Parliament of Toulouse for most of his adult life.
- His mathematical work was primarily done in his spare time.
- He made significant contributions to number theory, analytic geometry, probability, and calculus.
- Independently of Descartes, Fermat discovered the fundamental principle of analytic geometry.
- He shared ideas that led to the invention of differential calculus.
Notable Works
- Fermat is best known for Fermat's Last Theorem, which he stated in 1637, scribbled in the margin of a copy of Diophantus' Arithmetica.
- His correspondence with Blaise Pascal laid the foundation for probability theory.
- He also developed Fermat's principle, which states that light travels between two points along the path that takes the least time.
Legacy and Impact
Pierre de Fermat's work has had a profound and lasting impact on mathematics. His insights into number theory, analytic geometry, and calculus helped to shape the development of these fields. When discussing the life and works of important figures, the question of finding relevant "imagenes de pierre fermat biography" resources often arises, highlighting the enduring interest in his contributions to mathematics.