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==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Johann began studying medicine at [[University of Basel|Basel University]]. His father desired that he study business so that he might take over the family spice trade, but John Bernoulli disliked business and convinced his father to allow him to study medicine instead. However, John Bernoulli did not enjoy medicine either and began studying mathematics with his older brother on the side.<ref> ''A Short History of Mathematics'', by V. Sanford, Houghton, Mifflin Company, (1958)</ref> Throughout John Bernoulli’s education at Basel University the Bernoulli brothers worked together spending much of their time studying the newly discovered [[calculus]]. They were among the first mathematicians to not only study and understand calculus but to apply it to various problems.<ref> ''The Bernoulli Family'', by H. Bernhard, Doubleday, Page & Company, (1938)</ref>
Johann began studying medicine at [[University of Basel|Basel University]]. His father desired that he study business so that he might take over the family spice trade, but Johann Bernoulli disliked business and convinced his father to allow him to study medicine instead. However, Johann Bernoulli did not enjoy medicine either and began studying mathematics with his older brother on the side.<ref> ''A Short History of Mathematics'', by V. Sanford, Houghton, Mifflin Company, (1958)</ref> Throughout Johann Bernoulli’s education at Basel University the Bernoulli brothers worked together spending much of their time studying the newly discovered [[calculus]]. They were among the first mathematicians to not only study and understand calculus but to apply it to various problems.<ref> ''The Bernoulli Family'', by H. Bernhard, Doubleday, Page & Company, (1938)</ref>


==Adult life==
==Adult life==
After graduating from Basel University John Bernoulli moved to [[Geneva]] to teach [[differential equations]]. Later, in [[1694]], John Bernoulli married Dorothea Falkner and soon after accepted a position as the professor of mathematics at the [[University of Groningen]]. At the request of John Bernoulli’s father-in-law, John Bernoulli began the voyage back to his home town of [[Basel]] in [[1705]]. Just after setting out on the journey he learned of his brother’s death to [[tuberculosis]]. John Bernoulli had planned on becoming the professor of Greek at Basel University upon returning but instead was able to take over as professor of mathematics; his older brother’s former position. As a student of [[Leibniz]]’s calculus, John Bernoulli sided with him in [[1713]] in the [[Newton v. Leibniz calculus controversy|Newton-Leibniz debate]] over who deserved credit for the discovery of calculus. John Bernoulli defended Leibniz by showing that he had solved certain problems with his methods that Newton had failed to solve. However, due to his opposition to [[Isaac Newton|Newton]] and the study that he had done under the followers of [[Descartes]], John Bernoulli also promoted Descartes’ vortex theory over [[Newton's law of universal gravitation|Newton’s theory of gravitation]] which ultimately delayed acceptance of Newton’s theory in [[Europe]].<ref> ''Johann and Jacob Bernoulli'', by J.O. Fleckenstein, Mathematical Association of America, (1949)</ref>
After graduating from Basel University Johann Bernoulli moved to [[Geneva]] to teach [[differential equations]]. Later, in [[1694]], Johann Bernoulli married Dorothea Falkner and soon after accepted a position as the professor of mathematics at the [[University of Groningen]]. At the request of Johann Bernoulli’s father-in-law, Johann Bernoulli began the voyage back to his home town of [[Basel]] in [[1705]]. Just after setting out on the journey he learned of his brother’s death to [[tuberculosis]]. Johann Bernoulli had planned on becoming the professor of Greek at Basel University upon returning but instead was able to take over as professor of mathematics; his older brother’s former position. As a student of [[Leibniz]]’s calculus, Johann Bernoulli sided with him in [[1713]] in the [[Newton v. Leibniz calculus controversy|Newton-Leibniz debate]] over who deserved credit for the discovery of calculus. Johann Bernoulli defended Leibniz by showing that he had solved certain problems with his methods that Newton had failed to solve. However, due to his opposition to [[Isaac Newton|Newton]] and the study that he had done under the followers of [[Descartes]], Johann Bernoulli also promoted Descartes’ vortex theory over [[Newton's law of universal gravitation|Newton’s theory of gravitation]] which ultimately delayed acceptance of Newton’s theory in [[Europe]].<ref> ''Johann and Jacob Bernoulli'', by J.O. Fleckenstein, Mathematical Association of America, (1949)</ref>


In [[1724]] he entered a competition sponsored by the French [[Académie Royale des Sciences]], which posed the question:
In [[1724]] he entered a competition sponsored by the French [[Académie Royale des Sciences]], which posed the question:
Line 35: Line 35:


===Family rivalries===
===Family rivalries===
Although Jakob and John worked together before John graduated from Basel University shortly after this the two developed a jealous and competitive relationship. John was jealous of Jakob's position and the two often attempted to outdo each other. After Jakob's death John's jealousy shifted toward his talented son, Daniel. In [[1738]] the father-son duo nearly simultaneously published separate works on [[hydrodynamics]]. John Bernoulli attempted to take precedence over his son by purposely predating his work two years prior his son’s.
Although Jakob and Johann worked together before Johann graduated from Basel University, shortly after this the two developed a jealous and competitive relationship. Johann was jealous of Jakob's position and the two often attempted to outdo each other. After Jakob's death Johann's jealousy shifted toward his own talented son, Daniel. In [[1738]] the father-son duo nearly simultaneously published separate works on [[hydrodynamics]]. Johann Bernoulli attempted to take precedence over his son by purposely predating his work two years prior his son’s.


==Contributions to mathematics==
==Contributions to mathematics==
In [[1691]] John Bernoulli again fueled the tensions between himself and his brother when he solved the problem of the [[catenary]] presented by Jakob. In [[1696]] John Bernoulli proposed the problem of the [[brachistochrone]], despite already having solved the problem himself. Within two years he received five answers, one of which was from his older brother, Jakob. Bernoulli also proposed a [[fluid]] [[energy]] [[perpetual motion]] machine.
In [[1691]] Johann Bernoulli again fueled the tensions between himself and his brother when he solved the problem of the [[catenary]] presented by Jakob. In [[1696]] Johann Bernoulli proposed the problem of the [[brachistochrone]], despite already having solved the problem himself. Within two years he received five answers, one of which was from his older brother, Jakob. Bernoulli also proposed a [[fluid]] [[energy]] [[perpetual motion]] machine.


===L'Hôpital controversy===
===L'Hôpital controversy===

Revision as of 23:37, 17 July 2008

For other uses, see Bernoulli.
Johann Bernoulli
Johann Bernoulli
Born(1667-07-27)July 27, 1667
Basel, Switzerland
DiedJanuary 1, 1748(1748-01-01) (aged 80)
Basel, Switzerland
Nationality Swiss
Alma materUniversity of Basel
Known forDevelopment of calculus
Catenary solution
Scientific career
FieldsMathematician
InstitutionsUniversity of Groningen
University of Basel
Doctoral advisorJacob Bernoulli
Doctoral studentsLeonhard Euler
Johann Samuel König
Pierre Louis Maupertuis
Notes
Brother of Jakob Bernoulli, and the father of Daniel Bernoulli.

Johann Bernoulli (Basel, July 27, 1667 - January 1, 1748) was a Swiss mathematician. He was the brother of Jakob Bernoulli, and the father of Daniel Bernoulli (for whom Bernoulli's principle was named) and Nicolaus II Bernoulli. He is also known as Jean or John Bernoulli. He educated the great mathematician Leonhard Euler in his youth.

Early life and education

Johann began studying medicine at Basel University. His father desired that he study business so that he might take over the family spice trade, but Johann Bernoulli disliked business and convinced his father to allow him to study medicine instead. However, Johann Bernoulli did not enjoy medicine either and began studying mathematics with his older brother on the side.[1] Throughout Johann Bernoulli’s education at Basel University the Bernoulli brothers worked together spending much of their time studying the newly discovered calculus. They were among the first mathematicians to not only study and understand calculus but to apply it to various problems.[2]

Adult life

After graduating from Basel University Johann Bernoulli moved to Geneva to teach differential equations. Later, in 1694, Johann Bernoulli married Dorothea Falkner and soon after accepted a position as the professor of mathematics at the University of Groningen. At the request of Johann Bernoulli’s father-in-law, Johann Bernoulli began the voyage back to his home town of Basel in 1705. Just after setting out on the journey he learned of his brother’s death to tuberculosis. Johann Bernoulli had planned on becoming the professor of Greek at Basel University upon returning but instead was able to take over as professor of mathematics; his older brother’s former position. As a student of Leibniz’s calculus, Johann Bernoulli sided with him in 1713 in the Newton-Leibniz debate over who deserved credit for the discovery of calculus. Johann Bernoulli defended Leibniz by showing that he had solved certain problems with his methods that Newton had failed to solve. However, due to his opposition to Newton and the study that he had done under the followers of Descartes, Johann Bernoulli also promoted Descartes’ vortex theory over Newton’s theory of gravitation which ultimately delayed acceptance of Newton’s theory in Europe.[3]

In 1724 he entered a competition sponsored by the French Académie Royale des Sciences, which posed the question:

What are the laws according to which a perfectly hard body, put into motion, moves another body of the same nature either at rest or in motion, and which it encounters either in a vacuum or in a plenum?

In defending a view previously espoused by Leibniz he found himself postulating an infinite external force required to make the body elastic by overcoming the infinite internal force making the body hard. In consequence he was disqualified for the prize, which was won by Maclaurin. However, Bernoulli's paper was subsequently accepted in 1726 when the Académie considered papers regarding elastic bodies, for which the prize was awarded to Mazière. Bernoulli received an honourable mention in both competitions.

Family rivalries

Although Jakob and Johann worked together before Johann graduated from Basel University, shortly after this the two developed a jealous and competitive relationship. Johann was jealous of Jakob's position and the two often attempted to outdo each other. After Jakob's death Johann's jealousy shifted toward his own talented son, Daniel. In 1738 the father-son duo nearly simultaneously published separate works on hydrodynamics. Johann Bernoulli attempted to take precedence over his son by purposely predating his work two years prior his son’s.

Contributions to mathematics

In 1691 Johann Bernoulli again fueled the tensions between himself and his brother when he solved the problem of the catenary presented by Jakob. In 1696 Johann Bernoulli proposed the problem of the brachistochrone, despite already having solved the problem himself. Within two years he received five answers, one of which was from his older brother, Jakob. Bernoulli also proposed a fluid energy perpetual motion machine.

L'Hôpital controversy

Bernoulli was hired by Guillaume François Antoine de L'Hôpital to tutor him in mathematics. Bernoulli and L'Hôpital signed a contract which gave L'Hôpital the right to use Bernoulli’s discoveries as he pleased. L'Hôpital authored the first textbook on calculus, which mainly consisted of the work of Bernoulli, including what is now known as L'Hôpital's rule.[4][5][6]

See also

Sophomore's dream

References

  1. ^ A Short History of Mathematics, by V. Sanford, Houghton, Mifflin Company, (1958)
  2. ^ The Bernoulli Family, by H. Bernhard, Doubleday, Page & Company, (1938)
  3. ^ Johann and Jacob Bernoulli, by J.O. Fleckenstein, Mathematical Association of America, (1949)
  4. ^ The Story of a Number, by Eli Maor, Princeton University Press, Princeton, (1998) p. 116, ISBN 0-691-05854-7
  5. ^ The Mathematics of Great Amateurs, by Julian Lowell Coolidge, Dover, New York, (1963), pp. 154-163
  6. ^ A Source Book in Mathematics, 1200-1800, ed. D. J. Struck, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA, (1969), pp.312-316
  • Entry at the Mathematics Genealogy Project
  • O'Connor, John J.; Robertson, Edmund F., "Johann Bernoulli", MacTutor History of Mathematics Archive, University of St Andrews
  • Golba, Paul, "Bernoulli, Johan'"
  • "Johann Bernoulli"
  • Weisstein, Eric Wolfgang (ed.). "Bernoulli, Johann (1667-1748)". ScienceWorld.
  • C. Truesdell The New Bernoulli Edition Isis, Vol. 49, No. 1. (Mar., 1958), pp. 54-62, discusses the strange agreement between Bernoulli and de l'Hôpital on pages 59-62.

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