Liu
Hui, about 220 to 280 AD, known for his commentary on the Nine
Chapters on the Mathematical Art, a practical handbook of mathematics
written in China in 200 BC. Gaussian elimination to solve systems of linear
equations first appeared in this text, which includes problems involving up
to six equations and six unknowns.
Carl
Friedrich Gauss (1777-1855) depicted on German currency. Gauss solved
least squares problems in celestial computations and later in computations to
measure the earth and its surface. One of the giants of mathematics, Gauss
was said to be able to calculate before he could even talk. He is also my
academic great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great
grandfather.
Math 232 Linear Algebra
