Wu Wenjun facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Wu Wenjun
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| Born | 12 May 1919 |
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| Died | 7 May 2017 (aged 97) |
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| Alma mater | Shanghai Jiao Tong University University of Strasbourg |
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| Awards | Shaw Prize in Mathematics (2006) Highest Science and Technology Award (2000) |
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| Fields | Mathematics | ||||||||
| Doctoral advisor | Charles Ehresmann | ||||||||
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| Traditional Chinese | 吳文俊 | ||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 吴文俊 | ||||||||
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Wu Wenjun (Chinese: 吴文俊; 12 May 1919 – 7 May 2017) was a famous Chinese mathematician, historian, and writer. He was a top expert, called an academician, at the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). He is best known for a special way to solve math problems called the Wu's method of characteristic set.
Contents
Wu Wenjun's Early Life and Education
Wu Wenjun was born in Shanghai, China, on May 12, 1919. His family came from Jiashan in Zhejiang province. He studied hard and graduated from Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 1940.
After graduating, Wu Wenjun taught for a few months. He worked at Hangchow University in Hangzhou in 1945. This university later joined with Zhejiang University.
Studying Mathematics in France
In 1947, Wu Wenjun traveled to France to continue his studies. He went to the University of Strasbourg. In 1949, he earned his PhD degree. His important research was about "characteristic classes of spherical fiber structures." His teacher, Charles Ehresmann, helped him with this work.
After getting his PhD, he worked in Paris with another mathematician, René Thom. Together, they made important discoveries in a field called algebraic topology. They found what are now known as the Wu class and the Wu formula. In 1951, Wu Wenjun returned to China and began working at Peking University.
Awards and Recognition
Wu Wenjun received many honors for his amazing work in mathematics.
Becoming an Academician
In 1957, he was chosen as an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. This means he was recognized as a leading expert in his field. In 1986, he was invited to speak at the ICM in Berkeley, a very important meeting for mathematicians. He was also elected as an academician of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) in 1990.
Top Science Awards
In 2000, Wu Wenjun received the State Preeminent Science and Technology Award. This is the highest science and technology prize in China. He shared this award with another famous scientist, Yuan Longping. He also won the TWAS Prize in 1990 and the Shaw Prize in 2006. For a time, he was the President of the Chinese Society of Mathematics. Wu Wenjun passed away on May 7, 2017, just five days before his 98th birthday.
Wu Wenjun's Research Areas
Wu Wenjun's research covered many different areas of mathematics.
Key Contributions to Mathematics
His most important work was in algebraic topology. This area uses tools from algebra to study shapes and spaces. The Wu class and the Wu formula are named after him because of his big contributions. He also worked on algebraic geometry, game theory, and a field called automated theorem proving. In automated theorem proving, his "Wu's method" is very well known. This method helps computers solve math problems.
History of Chinese Mathematics
Wu Wenjun was also very interested in the history of mathematics in China. He was the main editor for a huge ten-volume book series. This series was called the "Grand Series of Chinese Mathematics." It covered the history of math in China from ancient times up to the later part of the Qin dynasty.
Images for kids
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Wu Wenjun, a famous Chinese mathematician.
See also
In Spanish: Wu Wenjun para niños
