Archimedes of Syracuse

Mathematics Greek -287 – -212 332 quotes

A brilliant ancient Greek mathematician, physicist, engineer, inventor, and astronomer, known for his work on buoyancy and levers.

Quotes by Archimedes of Syracuse

The ratio of the surface area of a sphere to that of its circumscribing cylinder is the same as the ratio of their volumes, namely 2:3.

On the Sphere and Cylinder

Every solid bounded by a surface consisting of three planes, and having two of its angles right angles, is a pyramid.

On Conoids and Spheroids

The center of gravity of any triangle is the point in which the medians intersect.

On the Equilibrium of Planes

If a solid lighter than a fluid is immersed in it, the solid will not be completely submerged, but part of it will project above the surface of the fluid.

On Floating Bodies

The magnitude of any sphere is equal to a cone having its base equal to the greatest circle of the sphere and its height equal to the radius of the sphere.

On the Sphere and Cylinder

The spiral which I have discovered has the property that the area of any sector is equal to the area of a triangle whose base is the arc of the sector and whose height is the radius.

On Spirals

I have found a method for measuring the number of grains of sand that could be contained in the universe.

The Sand Reckoner

The ratio of the circumference of any circle to its diameter is the same as the ratio of the surface of any sphere to the square of its diameter.

Measurement of a Circle

The center of gravity of any parallelogram is the point in which its diagonals intersect.

On the Equilibrium of Planes

If a solid lighter than a fluid is entirely immersed in it, the solid will be carried upwards to the surface of the fluid, and will rest there, having part of it projecting above the surface.

On Floating Bodies

The area of a circle is equal to the area of a right-angled triangle whose sides are equal to the radius and the circumference of the circle.

Measurement of a Circle

The volume of a sphere is two-thirds the volume of its circumscribing cylinder.

On the Sphere and Cylinder

The center of gravity of a segment of a parabola is on the diameter, and divides it in the ratio 3:2.

Quadrature of the Parabola

The properties of the lever are such that a small force can move a large weight.

Commentary by Pappus of Alexandria, Synagoge, Book VIII

I have discovered many wonderful things, but I have not yet found the secret of immortality.

Apocryphal, but reflects his scientific curiosity

The method of exhaustion is a powerful tool for calculating areas and volumes.

Method of Mechanical Theorems

The study of mathematics is a noble pursuit, for it leads to the understanding of the universe.

General sentiment attributed to him

The more I study, the more I discover my ignorance.

Apocryphal, but reflects a common scientific humility

The universe is a vast and complex machine, and mathematics is the language in which it is written.

General sentiment attributed to him

I have constructed machines that can lift great weights and hurl projectiles with immense force.

Plutarch, Parallel Lives, Marcellus