Name______Due date:

Math Research Paper

Famous Mathematician Biography

Introduction: You will be researching the life and times of a famous mathematician or scientist and writing about his/her life.

Goal of Assignment:

I hope this assignment will provide you with some insight into the lives of the people who have helped create the study of mathematics, and, in turn, helped shape the world in which we live. Many of the people on the list were ordinary people who made extraordinary observations. Remember, before these people's lives, the earth was flat, the earth was the center of the universe, and there was no such thing as formal geometry or calculus.

1)Choose a mathematician:

(If you would like to do another one that is not on the list, please seek approval from teacher.)

Mathematician List
Male / Pythagoras / Female / Hypatia
Male / Einstein / Male / Euclid
Male / Gauss / Male / Mandelbrot
Male / Fibonacci / Male / Newton
Male / Pascal / Female / Ada Lovelace
Male / Archimedes / Female / Emmy Noether

2)Complete the form below:

------

My name is______

The Mathematician/Scientist I have chosen is:

______

Parent Signature______

__ I do have computer access ___ I do not have computer access

__I do have internet access ___ I do not have internet access

(What should be included in each paragraph)

Introduction

  1. Interest Catcher
  2. Thesis Statement (short statement that summarizes the main point or claim of an essay, research paper, etc., and is developed, supported, and explained in the text by means of examples and evidence )

1st Body Paragraph – As a person, what was your mathematician like?

  1. When was s/he born?
  2. Where did s/he grow up (City, State, and Country)?
  3. What was his/her life like growing up?
  4. Was s/he married? Did s/he have kids?
  5. What was his/her family life like?
  6. Hobbies/special interests?
  7. When and how did they die?

2nd Body Paragraph – What was your person’s area of expertise?

  1. What kind of schooling/education did s/he have?
  2. What was s/he an expert in? Explain.
  3. Who were his/her mentors?
  4. What is considered to be his/her greatest discovery or invention?
  5. How did s/he discover or invent it?
  6. Describe the discovery or invention. Show proof if it exists—Give the formula or an illustration.
  7. Did s/he face any challenges along the way?
  8. Did s/he have people that supported them? Why or Why not? Did having (or not having) support make a difference?

3rd Body Paragraph – What was the impact of your person on the world?

  1. How did other people feel about his/her mathematical discovery?
  2. What were his/her major awards, honors?
  3. Did his/her life change because of his/her discovery? Why or why not?
  4. Did the world change because of his/her discovery? Why or why not?
  5. Interesting facts

Conclusion

  1. Topic Sentence
  2. Restate Thesis
  3. Overview of what was written
  4. Concluding Statement/Question

COVER PAGE:
  1. Your person’s name (as the title)
  2. Your full name and core number
  3. Due date
  4. Parent Signature (Parent must read final draft first.)
/ EXAMPLE:

CONCEPT MAP
On a separate sheet of paper create a concept map with your famous mathematicians name in the middle.
Include:
  • A picture of the mathematician
  • A quote from or about the mathematician you chose
  • Their most famous discovery
  • Significant events in their life
(Timeline- include at least 3 events)
  • Influential People in their life.
 Timeline makers: (If you want to use one online)
office.microsoft.com/en-us/results.aspx?qu=timelines

/ Example:





BIBLIOGRAPHY:
On a separate sheet of paper, create a bibliography. You will need to cite the sources that you used to find your research (Books, Encyclopedia, Internet, etc)
 Bibliography makers: (These sites will correctly format the bibliography for you):


Local Library Information:
Ramseur Public Library
1512 Main St, Ramseur, NC 27316
(336) 824-2232 / Need Computer Access ?
  • Ask Friends or Family
  • Local Library
  • Look in the Phonebook for businesses (ex. FedEx Kinko’s)
  • You may also visit the computer lab during homeroom if time permits

Internet Resources:
Below you may find some helpful internet sites to help you get started.
Biographies, quotes, pictures
www-groups.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/~history/
Quotes
math.furman.edu/~mwoodard/mquot.html
Biographies: Mathematicians

Mathematicians Links
search.myway.com/search/GGmain.jhtml?pg=GGmain&action=click&searchfor=Mathematicians+Links&tpr=&st=site&ct=SC
Mathematicians Through History
teacher.scholastic.com/fieldtrp/math/maththru.htm
Interesting facts and stories
library.thinkquest.org/22494/main_page/math_stories_and_humour.htm
Famous Mathematicians

Mathematician Pictures
/ PBS People & Discoveries

Distinguished Women of Past & Present

Famous Scientists, Inventors, and Mathematicians

About.com--Mathematics
math.about.com/od/mathematicians/Mathematicians.htm
About.com--Biographies
math.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&sdn=math&cdn=education&tm=10&gps=128_5_796_423&f=00&tt=14&bt=1&bts=0&zu=http%3A//www-history.mcs.st-and.ac.uk/history/Miscellaneous/Popular.html
TheTwenty-five Greatest Mathematicians of All Time
james.fabpedigree.com/mathmen.htm
Five Historic Women Mathematicians