Johann Friedrich Pfaff
Encyclopedia
Johann Friedrich Pfaff was a German
mathematician. He was described as one of Germany's most eminent mathematicians during the 19th century. He studied integral calculus, and is noted for his work on partial differential equation
s of the first order (Pfaffian systems as they are now called) which became part of the theory of differential form
s; and as Carl Friedrich Gauss
's formal research supervisor.
Pfaff was a student of Abraham Kästner, and became the precursor of the German school of mathematical thinking, which under Gauss and his followers largely determined the lines on which mathematics developed during the nineteenth century. He knew Gauss well, when they both lived together in Helmstedt
in 1798. August Möbius was later his student.
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
mathematician. He was described as one of Germany's most eminent mathematicians during the 19th century. He studied integral calculus, and is noted for his work on partial differential equation
Partial differential equation
In mathematics, partial differential equations are a type of differential equation, i.e., a relation involving an unknown function of several independent variables and their partial derivatives with respect to those variables...
s of the first order (Pfaffian systems as they are now called) which became part of the theory of differential form
Differential form
In the mathematical fields of differential geometry and tensor calculus, differential forms are an approach to multivariable calculus that is independent of coordinates. Differential forms provide a better definition for integrands in calculus...
s; and as Carl Friedrich Gauss
Carl Friedrich Gauss
Johann Carl Friedrich Gauss was a German mathematician and scientist who contributed significantly to many fields, including number theory, statistics, analysis, differential geometry, geodesy, geophysics, electrostatics, astronomy and optics.Sometimes referred to as the Princeps mathematicorum...
's formal research supervisor.
Pfaff was a student of Abraham Kästner, and became the precursor of the German school of mathematical thinking, which under Gauss and his followers largely determined the lines on which mathematics developed during the nineteenth century. He knew Gauss well, when they both lived together in Helmstedt
Helmstedt
Helmstedt is a city located at the eastern edge of the German state of Lower Saxony. It is the capital of the District of Helmstedt. Helmstedt has 26,000 inhabitants . In former times the city was also called Helmstädt....
in 1798. August Möbius was later his student.