Christian Kramp French mathematician (Alsatian). Date of Birth: 08.07.1760 Country: France

1. André Marie Legendre
2. Early Life and Education
3. Academic Career
4. Contributions to Mathematics
5. Factorial Function and Its Applications
6. Physiological Research
7. Other Notable Contributions
8. Later Life and Legacy

André Marie Legendre

André Marie Legendre was a prominent French mathematician born in 1752 in Strasbourg, France.

Early Life and Education

Legendre initially pursued medical studies at the University of Strasbourg. However, his fascination with mathematics and crystallography led him to eventually shift his focus towards these subjects.

Academic Career

In 1795, Legendre became a professor at the École Centrale in Cologne, teaching mathematics, physics, and chemistry. His mathematical publications gained recognition, and in 1809, he was appointed professor of mathematics at the University of Strasbourg.

Contributions to Mathematics

Legendre made significant contributions to various fields of mathematics, including number theory, geometry, mathematical crystallography, algebra, and mechanics. He proposed the widely accepted notation n! for the factorial function and compiled tables of values for transcendental functions.

Factorial Function and Its Applications

Legendre dedicated much attention to the factorial function. In 1808, he introduced the modern notation for the factorial, making it more accessible to mathematicians. He also explored its generalizations and its applications in areas such as combinatorics and variational calculus.

Physiological Research

In addition to his mathematical work, Legendre also ventured into physiology. In 1812, he attempted to create a mathematical model of blood circulation in the human body.

Other Notable Contributions

Legendre's research extended to other domains as well. In 1783 and 1786, he conducted studies related to aerostatics.

Later Life and Legacy

In 1817, Legendre became a member of the prestigious Paris Academy of Sciences. He continued his research and published several important mathematical works until his death in 1833. Legendre's contributions to mathematics remain highly influential, and his name continues to be associated with fundamental concepts in various fields.