Mathematician:Jacob Bernoulli

Mathematician
Swiss mathematician best known for his work on probability theory, analytic geometry and development of the calculus.

Also developed the field of calculus of variations.

Developed the technique of Separation of Variables, and in $1696$ solved what is now known as Bernoulli's (Differential) Equation.

Invented polar coordinates.

Elder brother of, with whom he famously quarrelled. He and, having encountered 's early papers in his , became his most important students.

Solved the Brachistochrone problem, which had been posed in $1696$ by his brother.

Also investigated the catenary and the logarithmic spiral.

Nationality
Swiss

History

 * Born: 27 Dec 1654 in Basel, Switzerland
 * 1687: Became Professor of Mathematics at Basel
 * Died: 16 Aug 1705 in Basel, Switzerland

Theorems and Definitions

 * Bernoulli Distribution, Bernoulli Trial and Bernoulli Process
 * Bernoulli Numbers
 * Bernoulli's Equation
 * Bernoulli's Inequality
 * Bernoulli's Theorem, or the Law of Large Numbers


 * Lemniscate of Bernoulli

Publications

 * 1713: (The Art of Conjecture) (posthumous)

Notable Quotes

 * Invito patre sidera verso (Against my father's will I study the stars)
 * -- Personal motto, created in memory of his father who opposed his desire to study mathematics and astronomy and tried to force him to study to become a theologian.

Also known as
Jacob Bernoulli is also known as James, Jacques or Jakob.

Sometimes reported as Jakob I, or Jacob I, so as to distinguish him from.

Also see

 * The Bernoulli Family