Tom M. Apostol facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tom M. Apostol
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Apostol in 1965
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| Born | August 20, 1923 Helper, Utah, U.S.
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| Died | May 8, 2016 (aged 92) |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | University of Washington (B.S., M.S.) University of California, Berkeley (Ph.D.) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Mathematics |
| Institutions | California Institute of Technology |
| Doctoral advisor | Derrick Henry Lehmer |
| Doctoral students | Basil Gordon Abe Sklar |
Tom Mike Apostol (born August 20, 1923 – died May 8, 2016) was an American mathematician. He was a professor at the California Institute of Technology, also known as Caltech. Tom Apostol is famous for writing many math textbooks that are used by students all over the world.
Early Life and Education
Tom Apostol was born in a town called Helper, Utah. His parents were immigrants from Greece. When his father became a United States citizen, his family's last name was shortened to Apostol. Tom inherited this new, shorter last name.
Tom Apostol loved learning. He first earned a degree in chemical engineering in 1944. After that, he decided to focus on mathematics. He received his master's degree in math from the University of Washington in 1946. Then, in 1948, he earned his PhD in mathematics from the University of California, Berkeley.
A Career in Mathematics
After finishing his studies, Tom Apostol became a professor. He taught at several famous universities. These included the University of California, Berkeley, MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), and Caltech.
He wrote many important math textbooks for both college students and those studying for advanced degrees. These books helped countless students learn complex math ideas.
Making Math Fun
Tom Apostol was not just a great writer; he also helped make math easier to understand for everyone.
- He created and directed something called Project MATHEMATICS!. This project made videos that explained basic math topics for high school students.
- He also helped share a special way of looking at calculus called "visual calculus." He worked with another mathematician, Mamikon Mnatsakanian, to write papers about this visual method.
- Tom Apostol also helped create the academic content for a video series about physics called The Mechanical Universe. This series made physics concepts clear and interesting.
Awards and Recognition
Tom Apostol's work was recognized by many.
- In 2001, he was chosen to be a member of the Academy of Athens in Greece.
- He won the Lester R. Ford Award three times: in 2005, 2008, and 2010. This award is given for excellent articles in mathematics.
- In 2012, he became a fellow of the American Mathematical Society. This is a special honor for mathematicians who have made big contributions to the field.
