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The truth behind ‘famous name’ mathematics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 August 2016

Keith Luoma
Keith Luoma*
Affiliation:
Department of Developmental Studies, Augusta College , Augusta, GA 30910, USA
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Extract

Before reading this article, you may like to turn to page 297, where you will find a quiz on ‘famous-name’ mathematics. In each of the questions it seems reasonable to suppose that the mathematician indicated in the title of the result is the discoverer or inventor of the result. But a careful look at mathematical history shows, in each case, that there is a ‘story behind the story’. As you read on, keep in mind that even the answers given below are subject to revision as new historical data is found and interpreted.

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Type
Articles
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The Mathematical Gazette , Volume 80 , Issue 488 , July 1996, pp. 349 - 351
Copyright
Copyright © The Mathematical Association 1996

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References

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