d'Alembert

Jean Le Rond d'Alembert

Born: 17 Nov 1717 in Paris, France
Died: 29 Oct 1783 in Paris, France

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Jean d'Alembert was a pioneer in the study of differential equations and pioneered their use of in physics. He studied the equilibrium and motion of fluids.

D'Alembert grew up in Paris. In 1741 he was admitted to the Paris Academy of Science, where he worked for the rest of his life. He was a friend of Voltaire.

He helped to resolve the controversy in physics over the conservation of kinetic energy by improving Newton's definition of force in his Traité de dynamique (1742), which articulates d'Alembert's principle of mechanics. In 1744 he applied the results to the equilibrium and motion of fluids.

He was a pioneer in the study of differential equations and pioneered their use of in physics.

He did important work in the foundations of analysis and in 1754 in an article entitled Différentiel in volume 4 of Encyclopédie suggested that the theory of limits be put on a firm foundation. He was one of the first to understand the importance of functions and, in this article, he defined the derivative of a function as the limit of a quotient of increments. In fact he wrote most of the mathematical articles in this 28 volume work.

D'Alembert also studied hydrodynamics, the mechanics of rigid bodies, the three-body problem in astronomy and atmospheric circulation.

D'Alembert turned down a number of offers in his life. He declined an offer from Frederick II to go to Prussia as President of the Berlin Academy. He also turned down an invitation from Catherine II to go to Russia as a tutor for her son.

References elsewhere in this archive:

Tell me about D'Alembert's work on matrices and determinants and on the fundamental theorem of algebra

Tell me about his work on orbits and gravitation

References:

  1. Dictionary of Scientific Biography
  2. Biography in Encyclopaedia Britannica
  3. J Bertrand, D'Alembert (1889).
  4. R Grimsley, Jean d'Alembert, 1717-83 (Oxford, 1963).
  5. V V Ramon, The D'Alembert-Euler Rivalry, Mathematical Intelligencer 7 (1985), 35-41.
  6. T L Hankins, Jean d'Alembert : science and the englightenment (New York, 1990). 
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JOC/EFR February 1996