The greatest mathematician ever?

Students often ask me who is the greatest mathematician of all time.  (Whether or not they are truly curious is debatable … they are masters at trying to get me off topic!)  While it can be a sometimes contentious debate, most people will agree that the honor goes to Carl Friedrich Gauss.  His contributions to mathematics, statistics, physics, astronomy and surveying (not to mention his inventions) certainly rank him at the top.

For those of you interested in learning more about the “greatest” mathematician of all time, here are a few places you can go:

• For a general overview of his life and contributions, click here.
• For a more detailed look at his life and contributions, this website from professor Douglas Ravenel at the University of Rochester gives you a plethora of links, click here.
• For those of you looking for an actual book, check out this selection: Gauss – Titan of Science by G. Waldo Dunnington

Wherever you go, enjoy!  You will not be disappointed.