Pierre simon de laplace biography

This work translated the geometric study of classical mechanics to one based on calculus , opening up a broader range of problems. Laplace also popularized and further confirmed Sir Isaac Newton 's work. Laplace formulated Laplace's equation , and pioneered the Laplace transform which appears in many branches of mathematical physics , a field that he took a leading role in forming.

The Laplacian differential operator , widely used in mathematics, is also named after him.

Pierre-simon laplace cause of death

He restated and developed the nebular hypothesis of the origin of the Solar System and was one of the first scientists to suggest an idea similar to that of a black hole , [ 4 ] with Stephen Hawking stating that "Laplace essentially predicted the existence of black holes". He also refined Newton's calculation of the speed of sound to derive a more accurate measurement.

Laplace is regarded as one of the greatest scientists of all time. Sometimes referred to as the French Newton or Newton of France , he has been described as possessing a phenomenal natural mathematical faculty superior to that of almost all of his contemporaries.

Pierre-simon laplace theory

Others had been destroyed earlier, when his house at Arcueil near Paris was looted in According to W. Rouse Ball , [ 9 ] his father, Pierre de Laplace, owned and farmed the small estates of Maarquis. It would seem that from a pupil he became an usher in the school at Beaumont; but, having procured a letter of introduction to d'Alembert , he went to Paris to advance his fortune.

However, Karl Pearson [ 8 ] is scathing about the inaccuracies in Rouse Ball's account and states:. Indeed Caen was probably in Laplace's day the most intellectually active of all the towns of Normandy. It was here that Laplace was educated and was provisionally a professor. Thus before he was 20 he was in touch with Lagrange in Turin.