Mathematical

Titans: Frames
of Five
- Album on contributions of
Mathematicians
CONTENTS
• BHASKARACHARYA
• THALES OF MILETUS
• HYPATIA
• BENOIT MANDELBROT
• MARYAM MIRZAKHANI
 BHASKARACHARYA
❑ Bhaskaracharya, also known as Bhaskara or Bhaskara II, was a renowned Indian
mathematician and astronomer who lived during the 12th century (around 1114 –
1185 AD).He was born in Bijapur, Karnataka, India and is considered one of the most
influential mathematicians in Indian history.
❑ Contributions
▪ Siddhanta Shiromani: This monumental work is a collection of four books:
"Lilavati," "Bijaganita ," "Grahaganita ," and "Goladhyaya." "Siddhanta Shiromani"
covers a wide range of mathematical and astronomical topics and is considered
one of the most comprehensive texts of its time.
▪ Lilavati: Bhaskaracharya wrote a famous mathematical treatise named "Lilavati,"
which was dedicated to his daughter of the same name. This book covers various
topics in arithmetic, algebra, and geometry. It consists of numerous problems and
solutions related to counting, calculations, and practical applications of
mathematics.
▪ Bijaganita: Also known as the "Algebra". It includes techniques for solving
quadratic equations, indeterminate equations, and ways to find multiple solutions
for certain problems.
▪ Approximation of Pi: Bhaskaracharya made remarkable approximations of the
value of pi (π). He gave a value of π correct to five decimal places (3.14159) in his
writings, which was highly accurate for his time.
▪ Trigonometry: Bhaskaracharya made contributions to trigonometry as well,
developing trigonometric formulas and methods for calculations related to
triangles and other geometrical shapes.
THALES OF MILETUS
❑ Thales of Miletus, a pre-Socratic Greek philosopher, made significant
contributions to mathematics. He is often considered one of the first
known mathematicians in history. Thales is known for his geometric
insights and discoveries.
❑ CONTRIBUTIONS
▪ Theorem of Thales: Thales is credited with the discovery of the
"Theorem of Thales," which states that if A, B, and C are points on a circle
where line AC is the diameter, then the angle at point B is a right angle (90
degrees).
▪ Geometry: Thales made important contributions to geometry,
particularly in the realm of similar triangles. He used his understanding of
similar triangles to calculate the heights of pyramids and other structures.
This laid the foundation for later developments in geometry.
▪ Measuring Heights: Thales is said to have used concepts of geometry
to measure the heights of pyramids and other tall objects. He
accomplished this by measuring shadows and using principles of similar
triangles.
▪ Predicting Solar Eclipses: Thales is also known for his prediction of a
solar eclipse around 585 BCE. It is said that he used his mathematical and
astronomical knowledge to make this prediction.

This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-SA.

 HYPATIA
❑ Hypatia of Alexandria was a Greek mathematician, philosopher, and astronomer in the
4th century AD.she was a significant figure in the history of mathematics and philosophy.
She made contributions that advanced both fields and left a lasting impact.
❑ CONTRIBUTIONS
▪ Commentaries on Mathematical Works: Hypatia is known for her commentaries on
important mathematical works of her time, particularly those of the Greek mathematician
Ptolemy. Her commentaries helped clarify and expand upon existing mathematical
concepts, making them more accessible to her students and the wider scholarly
community.
▪ Geometry and Astronomy: Hypatia's expertise in geometry and astronomy was well-
regarded. She contributed to the understanding of conic sections, such as the circle,
ellipse, parabola, and hyperbola. Her work helped advance the study of these curves and
their properties.
▪ Invention of Mathematical Instruments: Hypatia is credited with inventing several
mathematical instruments, including the hydrometer and the astrolabe. These
instruments were used for various purposes, including measuring the density of liquids
and making astronomical calculations.
▪ Promotion of Neoplatonism: Hypatia was associated with the Neoplatonist philosophical
school and integrated philosophical ideas with her mathematical teachings. Her holistic
approach to education emphasized the interconnectedness of various disciplines,
including mathematics, philosophy, and ethics.
 BENOIT MANDELBROT
❑ Benoit Mandelbrot was a French-American mathematician, known for his pioneering work in
fractal geometry and its applications to various fields. His contributions have had a profound
impact on mathematics, science, and art.
❑ CONTRIBUTIONS
▪ Fractals: Mandelbrot is perhaps best known for introducing the concept of fractals to the
mathematical community. He coined the term "fractal" to describe complex geometric
shapes that exhibit self-similarity at different scales. His groundbreaking work led to the
development of a new branch of mathematics known as fractal geometry.
▪ Mandelbrot Set: One of Mandelbrot's most famous contributions is the discovery of the
Mandelbrot Set, a highly complex and visually striking fractal. The Mandelbrot Set is
generated by iteratively applying a simple mathematical formula to complex numbers. It has
captured the imagination of mathematicians, artists, and enthusiasts worldwide.
▪ Multifractals: Mandelbrot extended the concept of fractals to multifractals, which capture
the varying degrees of self-similarity present in complex systems.
▪ Fractal Nature of Natural Phenomena: Mandelbrot's work highlighted the presence of fractal
patterns in various natural phenomena, from coastlines and mountain ranges to cloud
formations and biological structures. This recognition revolutionized the understanding of
irregular shapes in nature.
▪ Application of Fractals: Mandelbrot's ideas have been applied to a wide range of fields,
including computer graphics, art, economics, and environmental modeling. Fractal-based
algorithms have been used to generate realistic landscapes, create intricate artwork, model
financial markets, and more.
MARYAM MIRZAKHANI
❑ Maryam Mirzakhani, (born May 3, 1977, Tehrān, Iran) was an Iranian mathematician
who became (2014) the first woman and the first Iranian to be awarded a Fields Medal
.She made groundbreaking contributions to the field of mathematics, particularly in the
area of hyperbolic geometry and complex dynamics
❑ CONTRIBUTIONS
▪ Moduli Spaces of Riemann Surfaces: Mirzakhani's doctoral work focused on the moduli
spaces of Riemann surfaces. She made significant contributions to the understanding of
these spaces, which are mathematical structures that classify different shapes of surfaces.
▪ Counting Simple Closed Geodesics: One of her most celebrated achievements is her work
on counting the number of simple closed geodesics (non-self-intersecting curves) on
hyperbolic surfaces. This work combined several mathematical areas, including dynamics,
geometry, and mathematical physics.
▪ Teichmüller Dynamics: Mirzakhani's research delved into the dynamics of mapping class
groups of surfaces. Her work helped illuminate the behavior of these groups and their
relation to the geometry of surfaces.
▪ Hyperbolic Surfaces and Ergodic Theory: Mirzakhani's work delved into the dynamics of
geodesic flows on hyperbolic surfaces. She developed novel techniques that merged
concepts from geometry, topology, and dynamical systems theory. Her contributions in this
area opened up new perspectives on the behavior of these complex systems.
• Mirzakhani's achievements were not only mathematical but also inspirational to many,
especially women and girls interested in pursuing careers in mathematics and science. She
was an advocate for gender equality in STEM fields.
 Thank you

AMRUTHA ANAND
B.Ed ,Mathematics
2023-25