10 famous mathematicians

These 26 famous mathematicians show us how math discoveries have shaped history, come from all around the world, and are still happening today. Thales of Miletus used geometry to calculate the heights of pyramids and measure the distance from ships to the shore. He also discovered five geometric theorems and ideas:. His work sounds easy to us, but it was groundbreaking at the time and set the stage for other famous mathematicians and Western philosophers, like Socrates.

Learn more about Thales of Miletus at Britannica. Pythagoras remember his geometry theorem? His ideas had a big impact on Western philosophy and the development of mathematics. Learn more about Pythagoras at Britannica.

5 famous mathematicians and their contributions

He was known as the Father of Geometry. It was the center of math instruction for 2, years. In The Elements , Euclid lays out five postulates that are the foundation of geometry. Postulates one, two, and three are about lines, points, and circles.