Nicolo Fontana Tartaglia
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To begin civilization in a meaningful way, we had to be able to communicate ideas from one person to another. We can show this happened for a long period of time; however, we can appreciate a dramatic improvement in culture and society with the ability to record ideas. Not only expressive with words and events, but now mathematics as well. People are now able to look at and solve practical math problems significantly. I have learned that most of early mathematics began in a practical sense; to figure out heights, lengths, area, perimeters, volumes, and various other simple problems. As nations became more stable, scholars were able to study and learn more difficult abstract formulas based on theory. Also basic equations were looked at closer and found that some could be made more precise like , as an example. It is wonderful to see countless examples throughout the centurys formulas and equations refined and discovered. Though you would assume that most achievements would be cultivated in times of peace and prosperity, I know of a mathematician that lived in uncertainty and peril. Yet he was able to overcome his hardships and achieve much throughout his life.
Nicolo Fontana Tartaglia was born in 1500 in a town named Brescia in the Republic of Venice which is now called Italy. His boyhood was not that of todays standards of living. At the age of four Nicolos father, who worked as a mail carrier on horse, was murdered whilst making a delivery. The family, poor to begin with, is now destitute. The years in poverty continue for the Fontanas, barely surviving off of generosity and kindness of others. Then in Nicolos teenage years the French army marched in and captured his little town killing over 45,000 people. Nicolo who had sought shelter in a church with his family would not escape unharmed, a French soldier found them and seriously wounded Nicolos face. Unable to seek treatment due to lack of money his mother patched him up as best as she was able. But his injuries were more serious than her simple skills could remedy. He grew a beard to hide the disfigurement and would always have difficulties speaking for the remainder of his life. This is why he was called Tartaglia. A cruel nickname which means “to stammer”. Though this experience would discourage many people, Tartaglia went on to study and improve himself.
Tartaglia could only learn half the alphabet before he discontinued lessons because of a lack of money. It was at this time that he begin to teach himself. His studies quickly led him to mathematics. He found he had an extraordinary talent in the comprehension of problems. His mother found a mentor for Nicolo by the name of Ludovico Balbisonio He would study under him for only a few years. By the age of 17 or 18 he began to teach at a school in the Palazzo Mizzanti where he remained for about 15 years. He slowly become noted as a learned scholar through debates. I dont believe these are of the type we are used to. From what I understand, these would involve two mathematicians exchanging various problems to be solved; usually between 30 and 60. The winner, the one to solve the most the fastest, would win a prize and more importantly fame. Now another interesting difference of this time is that mathematicians would not share their discoveries with the public, but would continue to keep the solutions a secret. This would maintain their ability to win debates and continue to stump their peers. Consequently, their status was usually very highly esteemed. Eventually mathematicians would write a book containing their equations and ultimately their solutions.
Nicolo made a lifestyle out of hording knowledge. A friend Zuanne de Coi showed him how to set up two problems of cubes equal to numbers: . Nicolo discovered from these a general formula to solve for one type of cubic equation. This would be his most important mathematical contribution and he is attributed in the solution of third-degree equations: . These revelations would be revealed in debates when his opponent was unable to solve his problems. Another notable mathematician of the time by the name of Cardan noticed Nicolos work and wrote