Archimedes was an ancient Greek mathematician, physicist, engineer, and inventor. He was born around 287 BCE in Syracuse, a Greek city-state in Sicily, and is considered one of the greatest mathematicians in history. Archimedes made significant contributions to various fields, including mathematics, physics, engineering, and astronomy.
Archimedes was known for his revolutionary discoveries and inventions. Some of his notable achievements include the principle of buoyancy (known as Archimedes’ principle), the development of infinitesimal calculus, and his work on the measurement of geometric figures.
Here are a few quotes attributed to Archimedes:
- “Give me a lever long enough and a fulcrum on which to place it, and I shall move the world.”
- “Eureka!” (meaning “I have found it”) – Legend has it that Archimedes exclaimed this when he discovered a method to determine the purity of gold using water displacement.
- “Do not disturb my circles!” – It is said that Archimedes uttered this phrase when he was engrossed in his geometric calculations and was interrupted during the Roman siege of Syracuse.
As for books written by Archimedes, it is important to note that very few of his original works have survived. Here are five significant works attributed to Archimedes:
- “On the Measurement of the Circle” – In this treatise, Archimedes explores the calculation of the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter, which is known as pi.
- “On the Sphere and Cylinder” – This work discusses the properties and measurements of spheres and cylinders and presents the method for determining the volume of a sphere.
- “On the Equilibrium of Planes” – Archimedes investigates the principles of statics and the balance of forces acting on different planes and shapes.
- “The Sand Reckoner” – In this treatise, Archimedes presents a method of calculating large numbers and explores the concept of a myriad (10,000) as a unit of measurement.
- “The Method of Mechanical Theorems” – Although lost for centuries, this work was rediscovered in the 20th century and contains the foundation of Archimedes’ mathematical proofs and calculations.
These works by Archimedes demonstrate his profound mathematical and scientific insights and reveal his innovative thinking. While much of his original writing has been lost, his surviving works continue to inspire and influence scholars in the fields of mathematics and physics.