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Descartes is a famous and well noted European mathematician who lived hundreds of years ago. He pioneered many of the complex math procedures, equations, and mathematical formulas that we still use today.
Descartes is the namesake of the standard "Cartesian" or rectangular coordinate system.
He also is famous for saying "I think, therefore I am."
Descartes' theory provided the basis for the calculus of Newton and Leibniz, by applying infinitesimal calculus to the tangent line problem, thus permitting the evolution of that branch of modern mathematics. This appears even more astounding considering that the work was just intended as an example to his Discours de la méthode pour bien conduire sa raison, et chercher la verité dans les sciences (Discourse on the Method to Rightly Conduct the Reason and Search for the Truth in Sciences, better known under the shortened title, "Discours de la méthode").
Descartes' rule of signs is also a commonly used method in modern mathematics to determine possible quantities of positive and negative zeros of a function.
Descartes created analytic geometry, and discovered the law of conservation of momentum. He outlined his views on the universe in his Principles of Philosophy.
Descartes also made contributions to the field of optics. He showed by using geometric construction and the law of refraction (also known as Descartes' law) that the angular radius of a rainbow is 42 degrees (i.e. the angle subtended at the eye by the edge of the rainbow and the ray passing from the sun through the rainbow's centre is 42°). He also independently discovered the law of reflection, and his essay on optics was the first published mention of this law.
One of Descartes most enduring legacies was his development of Cartesian geometry, the algebraic system taught in schools today. He also created exponential notation, indicated by numbers written in what is now referred to as superscript.
This information was gathered from Wikipedia, see attached link.
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∙ 13y ago
René Descartes was a French philosopher, mathematician, and scientist. He is famous for his statement "Cogito, ergo sum" which means "I think, therefore I am," highlighting the importance of self-awareness and doubt in the pursuit of knowledge. Descartes is considered one of the founding figures of modern philosophy and made significant contributions to mathematics with his development of Cartesian coordinates.
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How do you pronounce Descartes?
Descartes was a famous French philospher who lived during the Englightenment era. His name is pronounced as "deh-kart".
What is the one thing Descartes cannot doubt?
Descartes cannot doubt his own existence, as captured in his famous statement "Cogito, ergo sum" - "I think, therefore I am."
What is Rene Descartes's famous philosophical dictum?
Rene Descartes's famous philosophical dictum is "I think, therefore I am" (in Latin: "Cogito, ergo sum"). This statement emphasizes the idea that the act of thinking itself is proof of one's own existence.
What belief about nature did Francis Bacon and Ren and eacute Descartes share.?
Francis Bacon and René Descartes both believed in the importance of systematic observation and experimentation in understanding nature. They advocated for an empirical approach to studying the natural world, rejecting reliance on traditional knowledge or speculative reasoning. Both Bacon and Descartes are considered pioneers in the development of the scientific method.
Who was Ren Descartes and what was he famous for?
René Descartes was a French philosopher, mathematician, and scientist who is considered the "Father of Modern Philosophy." He is famous for his statement "Cogito, ergo sum" (I think, therefore I am), which laid the foundation for modern philosophy and the mind-body problem. Descartes also made significant contributions to mathematics, including Cartesian geometry.
What were Ren Descartes' discoveries?
Rene Descartes invented the famous Cartesian coordinate system.He worked in the field of analytic geometry.
What are Ren Descartes' contributions to mathematics?
Rene desscartes was the father of mathematics.
What city was Ren Descartes born in?
== == Oddly enough, the place now called Descartes. Initially called La Haye en Touraine, the town was renamed La Haye-Descartes in 1802 in his honour, and then renamed again to Descartes in 1967.
Read the description of Ren and eacute Descartes below. How are Descartes's ideas similar to modern science?
Descartes's ideas, such as his emphasis on skepticism and rationalism, parallel modern science's commitment to evidence-based reasoning and inquiry. His focus on the importance of doubt and the use of logic to establish knowledge also aligns with the scientific method, which relies on critical thinking and empirical evidence. Additionally, Descartes's approach to understanding the natural world through systematic observation and measurement presages the empirical methodologies utilized in modern scientific research.
How does Descartes arrive at his distinction between mind and matter?
Descartes arrives at his distinction between mind and matter through his method of doubt, where he questions the certainty of all his beliefs. He concludes that while the existence of the external world may be uncertain, the existence of his own mind as a thinking thing is indubitable. This leads to his famous formulation of the mind-body dualism.
Why did Ren Descartes embark on the project of doubt?
Short answer: Descartes' doubt was like WWI - the doubt to end all doubt. Only by doubting everything could Descartes hope to find anything that was certain (even if the only certainty is that nothing else is certain!).
How did Ren Descartes invent the coordinate system?
Some math mathematicians say that Descartes inspiration came from being in bed so late. But, this also came about because of his love for math and all of his studying.
When did Rene descartes become famous?
Rene Descartes became famous in November 1628 during a trip to Paris where he had a confrontation with Chandoux. Chandoux believed that science was based on probabilities. Descartes attacked this view and created a whirlwind of questions.
What human values are most important to Rene Descartes?
Rene Descartes valued rationality and human logic. Descartes is famous for his sentence, "I think, therefore I am." It was the mind that Descartes valued more than anything else.
How do you pronounce Descartes?
Descartes was a famous French philospher who lived during the Englightenment era. His name is pronounced as "deh-kart".
What does it mean when Descartes says that you are a thinking thing?
It comes from Descartes famous saying "I think, therefore I am." So he was explaining his belief through you.
What famous mathematician is considered father of analytic geometry?
Rene descartes..
