![[Karl Friedrich Gauss]](ncd05162.jpg "19kb jpg detail of a painting of Karl Friedrich Gauss, date unknown, artist unknown; swiped off the Wikipedia web site; please do not write to ask about the image")
(30 April 1777 - 23 February 1855)
Christian mathematician.
Regarded as the founder of German mathematics.
Revolutionized the theory of numbers by his researches.
Discovered and proved the law of quadratic reciprocity.
Originated a new logarithm by the theory of congruence.
Did a valuable exposition on the theory of dividing the circle into seventeen equal arcs.
Made mathematical calculations which led to the rediscovery of the asteroid Ceres, in 1802.
New Catholic Dictionary
