Math 150A Writing Project

Due: Friday, December 12, 2014

This writing project will serve as an introduction to the history of mathematics. After developing a
better understanding of how Calculus was first discovered, you will be able to gain a better
appreciation of the subject as a whole.
Students will pick a famous mathematician and write a research paper that includes their
biographical information and their contributions to mathematics. Your paper must contain the
following format: one inch margins, double spaced, Times New Roman, size 12 point font, header
with your last name and page number in the top right corner. Spelling and grammar will be a part
of your grade.
Your project must include each of the following parts:
A) Title Page Include title and photograph/illustration of the mathematician (1 page)
B) Paper The following sections must be listed in the order stated below. Section titles
must be underlined and bolded. (2-4 pages)

Personal Life (date of birth, residence, parents, marriage, education, interests, etc)

Mathematical Career (theorems/formulas/contributions to Calculus,

influences/mentors, etc)
_

Timeless Contributions to Society, Technology or Humankind (how do these

discoveries serve a purpose in todays world?)

C) Bibliography at least four sources (do not source Wikipedia) (1 page)

Note: Plagiarism (claiming someone else's work as your own) is a serious academic
offense. Plagiarized work will get zero points on this project and a referral to the Dean.
Copying a website word for word is plagiarism. You must rewrite the information in
your own words.

Please choose one of the following Mathematicians:

Sir Isaac Newton
Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz
Bernoulli Brothers
Isaac Barrow
Ren Descartes

Pierre de Fermat
Blaise Pascal
Guillaume de l'Hpital
Carl Friedrich Gauss
Bernhard Riemann

Evaluation Form

Title Page (2 pts)

________

Early Life (10 pts)

Mathematical Career (15 pts)
Timeless Contributions to Society, Technology or Humankind (10 pts)

________
________
________

Bibliography (3 pts)

________

Spelling, Grammar and Writing Structure (10 pts)

________

Total Points: ________

Total Possible Points:

50