Cahit Arf facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cahit Arf
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| Born | 24 October 1910 |
| Died | 26 December 1997 (aged 87) |
| Nationality | Turkish |
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| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Mathematics |
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| Doctoral advisor | Helmut Hasse |
Cahit Arf (born October 24, 1910 – died December 26, 1997) was a very important Turkish mathematician. He is famous for his work in different areas of mathematics. Some of his key ideas include the Arf invariant, the Hasse–Arf theorem, Arf semigroups, and Arf rings. These ideas are used in advanced math topics like topology and algebra.
Who Was Cahit Arf?
Cahit Arf was born on October 11, 1910, in Thessaloniki. At that time, Thessaloniki was part of the Ottoman Empire. When the Balkan War started in 1912, his family moved to Istanbul. They later settled in İzmir, where Cahit Arf went to primary school.
How Did Cahit Arf Study Math?
Cahit Arf was a very bright student. He received a special scholarship from the Turkish Ministry of Education. This scholarship allowed him to continue his studies in Paris, France. He graduated from a famous school called École Normale Supérieure.
After finishing his studies in Paris, he came back to Turkey. He started teaching mathematics at Galatasaray High School. In 1933, he joined the Mathematics Department at Istanbul University.
Where Did Cahit Arf Get His PhD?
In 1937, Cahit Arf traveled to Göttingen, Germany. He earned his PhD from the University of Göttingen. While there, he worked with a well-known mathematician named Helmut Hasse.
After getting his PhD, he returned to Istanbul University. He worked there for many years.
What Was Cahit Arf's Role in TÜBİTAK?
In 1962, the President of Turkey, Cemal Gürsel, asked Cahit Arf to help start a new organization. This organization was the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK). Cahit Arf served as its first director in 1963.
After working at TÜBİTAK, he joined the Mathematics Department at Robert College in Istanbul.
Where Else Did Cahit Arf Work?
From 1964 to 1966, Cahit Arf worked at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. This is a very famous place for scientists and mathematicians. He also spent a year visiting the University of California, Berkeley.
When he came back to Turkey for good, he joined the Mathematics Department at Middle East Technical University. He continued his studies and teaching there until he retired in 1980.
What Awards Did Cahit Arf Receive?
Cahit Arf received many awards for his important work in mathematics. Some of these include:
- The İnönü Award in 1948.
- The TÜBİTAK Science Award in 1974.
- The Commandeur des Palmes Academiques from France in 1994.
He was also a member of the Mainz Academy and the Turkish Academy of Sciences. From 1985 to 1989, he was the president of the Turkish Mathematical Society. Cahit Arf passed away on December 26, 1997, in Bebek, Istanbul, when he was 87 years old. His collected mathematical works were published in 1988.
How Did Cahit Arf Influence Others?
Cahit Arf had a huge impact on science, especially on mathematics. Even though he didn't have many official students, he helped many Turkish mathematicians. He would have helpful discussions with them and offer support and encouragement for their work.
Who Is Robert Langlands?
Cahit Arf also helped arrange a visit for a famous mathematician named Robert Langlands to Turkey. During his visit, Langlands worked on some very complex math problems. Today, Langlands is well-known for the Langlands program, which is a big idea in mathematics.
Where Can You See Cahit Arf's Picture?
Cahit Arf's picture is on the back of the Turkish 10 lira banknote. This banknote was issued in 2009. This shows how important he is to Turkey.
What Are the Cahit Arf Lectures?
The Middle East Technical University's Department of Mathematics holds a special lecture series each year. It's called the Cahit Arf lecture, and it honors his memory. A distinguished mathematician is invited to give a talk at the Cahit Arf Auditorium. Since 2006, these lecturers also give their talks at the Istanbul Center for Mathematical Sciences.
Images for kids
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Gravestone of Cahit Arf, Zincirlikuyu Cemetery, Istanbul
See also
- Hasse–Arf theorem
- Arf invariant
- Arf semigroup
- Arf ring
