Alexander Anderson (mathematician) facts for kids
Alexander Anderson (born around 1582 in Aberdeen, Scotland – died around 1620 in Paris, France) was a Scottish mathematician. He is best known for editing and expanding the works of another famous mathematician, François Viète. Anderson helped share important new ideas in geometry and algebra with the world.
A Life of Numbers
Alexander Anderson was likely born in Aberdeen, Scotland, around 1582. A printed work from 1617 suggests he was 35 years old then. We don't know much about where he went to school. It's thought he first studied writing and philosophy in his hometown of Aberdeen.
Later, he moved to Europe. By the early 1600s, he was a professor of mathematics in Paris. Between 1612 and 1619, he published several books about geometry and algebra. In one of his books, Vindiciae Archimedis (1616), he wrote that he had "more wisdom than riches."
Alexander Anderson was also the first cousin of David Anderson of Finshaugh, who was also a well-known mathematician. David Anderson's daughter was the mother of another famous mathematician, James Gregory.
His Mathematical Work
After the famous mathematician François Viète passed away in 1603, his family chose Alexander Anderson to review and publish Viète's unfinished works. It's not clear if Anderson knew Viète personally. However, Anderson was skilled enough to be chosen for this important task.
Anderson carefully corrected and added to Viète's writings. These works helped to connect older geometry with a "new algebra." This new algebra used general symbols, like letters, to stand for different amounts. This was a big step forward in mathematics.
What He Published
Alexander Anderson published six small books. His last known work came out in 1619. This suggests he might have passed away soon after that year, but the exact date is not known. He also wrote other works that have since been lost.
Here are some of his known publications:
- 1612: Supplementum Apollonii Redivivi
- 1615: Ad Angularum Sectionem Analytica Theoremata F. Vieta
- 1615: Pro Zetetico Apolloniani
- 1615: Francisci Vietae Fontenaeensis
- 1616: Vindiciae Archimedis
- 1619: Alexandri Andersoni Exercitationum Mathematicarum Decas Prima
See also
In Spanish: Alexander Anderson para niños
- Marin Getaldić
- Denis Henrion
- Frans van Schooten
