17th-Century Mathematics

René Descartes is widely recognized as the father of modern mathematics for his contributions to analytic geometry and the development of Cartesian coordinates.

Isaac Newton is credited with formulating the fundamental theorem of calculus, which establishes a connection between differentiation and integration.

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz developed a mathematical system known as Leibniz's Calculus, which contributed significantly to the development of calculus.

Pierre de Fermat is renowned for his contributions to number theory, including the formulation of Fermat's Last Theorem, which remained unproven for centuries.

Blaise Pascal, along with Pierre de Fermat, made significant contributions to the development of probability theory, particularly in the context of gambling.

Evangelista Torricelli studied the mathematical curve known as the cycloid, which is the path traced by a point on a circle as it rolls along a straight line.

John Napier is credited with the discovery of logarithms, which are mathematical functions used to simplify calculations involving multiplication and division.

René Descartes developed the concept of analytic geometry, which allows for the representation of geometric figures using algebraic equations.

Integration is a mathematical method used to approximate the area under a curve, which is essential in calculus and various applications.

Gérard Desargues is renowned for his contributions to conic sections and the development of projective geometry, which studies geometric properties that are invariant under projection.

Iteration is a mathematical technique used to solve equations by successive approximations, where each approximation is used to generate the next one.

John Wallis is known for his work on the concept of infinity and the study of infinite series, contributing to the development of calculus.

Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz is credited with the discovery of the law of conservation of energy, which states that the total amount of energy in an isolated system remains constant.

Christiaan Huygens studied the mathematical curve known as the involute, which is the path traced by a point on a string as it is unwound from a fixed point.

Christiaan Huygens made significant contributions to the development of probability theory and the study of annuities, which are financial instruments that provide a series of regular payments.