Famous Mathematicians

Great thinkers whose work has helped shaped today's world.

John Napier

Image of John Napier

1550

1617

John Napier was a Scottish mathematician who lived in the 16th and 17th centuries. He is best known for his invention of logarithms, which are a way to simplify complex mathematical calculations. Logarithms help reduce multiplication and division operations to easier addition and subtraction operations.

Napier also introduced the concept of Napier's bones, a manual calculation tool used for multiplication and division. This tool was widely used by students and scientists before the invention of electronic calculators.

In addition, Napier made significant contributions to the field of trigonometry. He developed what is known as Napier's analogies, which are mathematical formulas used to solve trigonometric equations.

Overall, John Napier's work in the development of logarithms, Napier's bones, and Napier's analogies has had a lasting impact on the field of mathematics and continues to be studied and applied by students and mathematicians today."

Logarithms  Activity

Appreciate the work of John Napier by trying some of the maths that this mathematician is known for.

There is an activity called Logarithms that you could try right now. Self-marking exercises on evaluating logarithms and using them to solve equations.

So there's no better time than the present to learn some mathematics from the past: let's Go!

Transum has many activities for the topic 'Logarithms' and recommends you try some of them.

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