They had a knack for math!

It's thanks to them that we have math classes today. So, put like that, it might not make you want to do it too much.

But it is thanks to them that we were able to build palaces and cathedrals. It is thanks to them that we were able to send satellites into space. It is thanks to them (also perhaps) that we can cut a cake into perfectly equal parts?

Small portraits of these great men who revolutionized the world of mathematics...

Pythagoras (-569, -475 (approximately))

With his famous theorem, we now know that (yes, you remember): the sum of the squares of the sides of a triangle is equal to the square of its hypothenuse, IF the triangle is right-angled!

Still very practical for building a straight wall ;)

Euclid (-320? ; -260?) (at that time we don't really know ;) )

Euclid is best known for his work “The Elements” which laid the foundations of geometry. He also stated postulates such as “Through two distinct points there passes one and only one straight line .”

Useless? Not at all! For building roads or finding your way on a map!

Eratosthenes (-276; -194)

He is particularly known for having determined all the prime numbers. You know this sequence of digits and numbers that are only divisible by themselves: 3, 5, 7… They allow us to determine all the other digits!

So when do we actually use them? To put it briefly, we use them today, for example, in bank details or social security numbers.

Archimedes ( 287 BC)

It was he who gave an approximation of 3.14…. to the famous number PI. Rather useful for measuring the circumference of a circle!

Useless? Think again! Think of him the next time you go to see the dome of a cathedral or eat from your round plate ;)

Al Khawarizmi (~780 (approximately), ~850)

This Arab mathematician introduced algebra to Europe.

Essential, just to go and buy your bread and leave with the right amount!

Pierre de Fermat (17th century)

He stated several theorems that influenced modern mathematics, and is notably recognized as being the father of probability....

So, if you play the lottery and want to estimate your chances of winning, you can spare a thought for Monsieur Fermat.

Isaac Newton (1642 - 1727)

He understood the mechanics of movement, particularly thanks to mathematics, but also the law of gravitation!

Thanks to him, today you can not only interpret at what speed a footballer's ball will reach the goal, but also estimate the rotation of the Earth around the sun!

René Descartes

It is at the origin of the plane references (with abscissas, ordinates etc… that surely reminds you of something)... The “Cartesian” planes

The next time you go on holiday, you will think of Descartes and his Cartesian plans, which, among other things, allow us to steer planes.