MATHEMATICS: A JEWISH LEGACY d sin (x+0 •os x d X 2ax Axd-a( Ax) 2 Bx dO dx 7 -E-- dx V2 The influence of Jewish mathematicians on scientific progress in our world began well before the remarkable 1241 Century achievement of the almost legendary Abraham ibn Ezra. As early as about 150 C.E., a Rabbi Nehemiah was believed to have written The Treatise of Measures, an enduring work whose mathematical theories and systems helped advance science through to medieval times. But it was ibn Ezra to whom a singular honor goes. He led several other Spanish Jewish colleagues in bringing Arabic numerals, the decimal system and the use of the zero (all originating in India) to Christian culture. That event was a milestone in the history of Western civilization. More recently, the mantle of mathematical distinction has been passed to such greats as Nikolay Ivanovich Lobachevsky (1792-1856), the Russian-born, founder of non-Euclidean geometry. He was said to be the most outstanding mathematician his country ever produced. And although short-lived, the German professor Karl Gustav Jacobi (1804-51) proposed a lifetime of valuable mathematical theories in seven volumes published by the Prussian Academy of Science. In addition, the British professor of mathematics James Joseph Sylvester (1814-97) did brilliant work on the theory of numbers and created an imaginative and inventive theory of algebraic forms before his appointment to Johns Hopkins University in the U.S. (1876). While here, he effectively spurred higher mathematics education in colleges and universities, and both founded and edited the American - Journal of Mathematics. Equally notable was F.G.M. Eisenstein (1823- 54) whose work in algebra and in the theory of numbers was hailed by fellow German Carl Gauss considered by many as among the greatest modern mathematicians who ever lived. "He belongs to those talents who are born but once in a century," Gauss wrote of Eisenstein. What's more, Albert Einstein owes a debt of gratitude to several pre-eminent contemporaries: to Russian Hermann Minkowski (1864-1909) ; his former teacher and developer of the space-time description he applied to his theory of relativity, and to Italian Tullio Levi-Civita (1873-1941) whose tensor analysis was a vital key to formulating that theory. Although they may sound abstruse, the revolutionary theory of sets and concepts of the infinite advanced by Georg Cantor (1845-1918) brought a new mode of thinking and reasoning into the discipline. The leading mathematical philosopher of his day, Bertrand Russell, wrote of the German professor: "In mathematics, my chief obligations, as is indeed evident, are to Georg Cantor..." -- Saul Stadonauer COMMISSION FOR THE DISSEMINATION OF JEWISH HISTORY Harold Berry & Irwin S. Field, Co-chairmen Harriet F. Sidon, Secretary Founders/Sponsors: Walter & Lea Field Experience the power of a V-8 Engine, the safety of Dual Airbags and standard features that you might find in an expensive luxury import. Even the high quality Compact Disc Player comes standard with every Aurora. CHOOSE FROM A RAINBOW OF COLORS: • Dark Cherry Red Metallic • Champagne Metallic • Medium Garnet Red Metallic • Silver Teal Metallic • Light Gray Metallic • Light Adriatic Blue Metallic • Dark Green Metallic • Dark Green/Gray Metallic • Black • White ... • ' • • ,VIX59.1ja. *36 month closed end lease. Option to purchase at lease end for price to be determined at lease inception. Security deposit, 1st months pymt. dest. and acq. fee of $400 due at inception. Tax, title plates, due at inception. Lessee resp. for excess wear and tear. 150 per mile over 12.000 per year. To set total obligation multiply term by pymt. Telegraph • At The Tel-12 Mall • Southfield 810.354-3300 1-800-354-5558 We can deliver anything under the sun... Shop Sherwood for your Florida borne! Sherwood Now Offers Free Delivery and Set-up in South Florida! * Fine designer furniture * Interior design service * Floor coverings * Window treatments * Accessories Ask for details! 0 e 8t11.6.08 6644 Orchard Lake West Bloomfield 810 855-1600 Mon-Thur-Fri 10-9 Tue-Wed-Sat 10-6 • Sun 12-5