Rene DescartesRene Descartes

““Stay-in-Bed Scholar”Stay-in-Bed Scholar”

““Gentleman, Soldier, and Gentleman, Soldier, and Mathematician” Mathematician”

Born on March 31, 1596Born on March 31, 1596

Died on February 11,Died on February 11, 16501650

ChildhoodChildhood As a child was very weak and was As a child was very weak and was

always sick. always sick. He had been picked on by bullies for it.He had been picked on by bullies for it. He was inspired to do math by his He was inspired to do math by his

mother.mother. Little did he know he would be affected Little did he know he would be affected

by not doing math as a child.by not doing math as a child.

EducationEducation He went Jesuit school of La Fleche in He went Jesuit school of La Fleche in

Anjou, France at eight years old.Anjou, France at eight years old. He studied mathematics and Scholastic He studied mathematics and Scholastic

philosophy.philosophy. He studied law at the University of He studied law at the University of

Poitiers.Poitiers. He graduated from the University in 1616.He graduated from the University in 1616. He never practiced law.He never practiced law.

AccomplishmentsAccomplishments He graduated the University of He graduated the University of

Poitiers.Poitiers. He changed math by dicovering the X He changed math by dicovering the X

and Y axis.and Y axis. He wrote the book He wrote the book SEEKING THE SEEKING THE

TRUTH IN THE SCIENCESTRUTH IN THE SCIENCES. (1637). (1637) Descartes did not revise geometry; he Descartes did not revise geometry; he

created it.created it.

A Sad Day in France Rene Descartes died February in Rene Descartes died February in

1650.1650. The best known cause for his death The best known cause for his death

was from a cold.was from a cold. He died in Sweden at 5:00 am during a He died in Sweden at 5:00 am during a

philosophy session.philosophy session. He died in the castle of Cartesian He died in the castle of Cartesian

Christia.Christia.

Bibliography Deal, Seymour. Deal, Seymour. Mathematicians are Mathematicians are

People, TooPeople, Too. pg- 35 to 43.. pg- 35 to 43. ““Descartes,” Encarta, Microsoft, Descartes,” Encarta, Microsoft,

1997. 1997. Bells, ET. Bells, ET. Men of Mathematics, Men of Mathematics, pg- pg-

35-55.35-55.