Diophantus
Diophantus of Alexandria - Διόφαντος ο Αλεξανδρεύς - (circa 200/214 - circa 284/298) was an ancient Greek mathematician. He was known for his study of equations with variables which take on rational values and these Diophantine equations are named after him. Diophantus is sometimes known as the "father of Algebra". He wrote a total of thirteen books on these equations. Diophantus also wrote a treatise on polygonal numbers.
In 1637, while reviewing his translated copy of Diophantus' Arithmetica (pub. ca.250) Pierre de Fermat wrote his famous "Last Theorem" in the page's margins. His copy with his margin-notes survives to this day.
Although little is known about his life, some biographical information can be computed from his epitaph (see links below). He lived in Alexandria and he died when he was 84 years old. Diophantus was probably a Hellenized Babylonian.
External links
- Diophantus of Alexandria by J. J. O'Connor and E. F. Robertson
- Diophantus's Riddle Diophantus' epitaph, by E. Weisstein
- Larry Freeman (2005), Fermat's Last Theorem Blog Covers topics in the history of Fermat's Last Theorem from Diophantus of Alexandria to Andrew Wiles.