Évariste Galois was a French mathematician who lived during the 19th century. He is known for his work in algebraic number theory and algebraic geometry, and is credited with laying the foundation for the modern theory of abstract algebra. Galois’ contributions to mathematics are still studied today, and his name is now synonymous with the field of Galois theory.
Galois was born on October 25, 1811 in Bourg-la-Reine, France. He was a brilliant student, excelling in mathematics from an early age. He was admitted to the École préparatoire, a school for gifted students, at the age of 15, and later attended the École Polytechnique in Paris. It was during his time at the École Polytechnique that Galois began to develop his ideas about algebra and abstract algebraic structures.
Galois’ most famous work is his theory of equations. In 1830, at the age of 19, he submitted a paper to the Académie des Sciences detailing his theory for solving polynomial equations. Galois’ theory allowed for the determination of which polynomial equations were solvable by radicals, and which were not. This was a major breakthrough in the field of mathematics, and laid the groundwork for the development of abstract algebra. Sadly, Galois was not able to fully develop his ideas, as he died in a duel at the age of 20.
Despite his short life, Galois’ contributions to mathematics were significant. His work on algebraic structures laid the foundation for the modern theory of abstract algebra, and his theories on equations had a major impact on the field of algebraic number theory. Galois’ ideas continue to be studied today, and his name is now synonymous with the field of Galois theory.
In conclusion, Évariste Galois was a brilliant mathematician whose contributions to mathematics have had a lasting impact on the field. His work on algebraic structures and equations laid the foundation for modern algebra, and his name is now synonymous with the field of Galois theory. Despite his short life, Galois’ legacy lives on in the work of mathematicians around the world.