Carl Friedrich Gauss

Biography

Born in Brunswick, studied at the University of Göttingen. Received his doctorate from the University of Helmstedt. Worked as director of the Göttingen Observatory and professor of astronomy. Collaborated with Wilhelm Weber, with whom he built the first electromagnetic telegraph. Member of many academies, winner of the Copley Medal.

Key discoveries

• Fundamental theorem of algebra: proof that any polynomial has a complex root.
• Method of least squares and the normal distribution (Gaussian distribution), the foundation of modern statistics.
• Gauss's theorem (divergence theorem): ∮ₛ F·dS = ∭ᵥ div F dV, fundamental for vector analysis.
• Investigations on the curvature of surfaces (Theorema Egregium), which laid the foundations of differential geometry and non-Euclidean geometry.
• Prediction of the orbit of Ceres using computational methods he developed.