Augustin-Louis Cauchy
Rigorized calculus and founded complex analysis
Most quoted
"I am a Christian, that is to say, I believe in the divinity of Jesus Christ, like Bossuet and Pascal, like Corneille and Racine, and like so many other great men who have been illustrious in the sciences and in letters. The more I study nature, the more I am amazed at the works of the Creator. The more I study mathematics, the more I admire the wisdom of God."
"The mean value theorem for derivatives states that if a function is continuous on a closed interval and differentiable on the open interval, then there exists at least one point in the open interval where the derivative of the function is equal to the average rate of change of the function over the interval."
— from Cours d'Analyse de l'École Royale Polytechnique, 1821
"A function is continuous if, for every value of the variable between given limits, the numerical value of the difference between two successive values of the function becomes indefinitely small with the numerical value of the difference between the corresponding values of the variable."
— from Cours d'Analyse, 1821
All quotes by Augustin-Louis Cauchy (546)
Friendship among mathematicians is built on shared proofs.
Art imitates life, but math reveals its structure.
Humor in lectures keeps students engaged.
The mean value theorem is indispensable.
Exile taught me the value of perseverance.
Determinants simplify systems of equations.
In science, doubt leads to progress.
The Laplace transform aids in solving ODEs.
Family is the foundation of a meaningful life.
A comeback to critics: Let the theorems speak.
Complex analysis opens new horizons.
Philosophy of math: axioms to theorems.
The integral calculus is the inverse of differential.
Political turmoil distracts from pure thought.
Wisdom comes from rigorous study.
Wave equations model sound propagation.
Letters to friends reveal the heart.
In interviews, I emphasize foundations.
Life's meaning is in service to truth.
A joke: Why did the function converge? It was continuous!
Contemporaries of Augustin-Louis Cauchy
Other Mathematicss born within 50 years of Augustin-Louis Cauchy (1789–1857).