Girolamo Cardano has made hundreds of contributions to the math world. He was not only a mathematician, but a physician, teacher, astrologer, and gambler as well. He was very well known for solving equations and being able to calculate formulas. He was born on September 24th, 1501 in what is now considered to be Italy. His father was a lawyer who also specialized in teaching geometry. Some may say this is where Cardano received his interest in mathematics. Cardano plays a huge role in mathematic history because of his journey to success. Cardano learned gambling strategies from his father. He used this method to make money and stay alive. He became far too addicted and realized how much time and money he had wasted. He had to change something
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His fame was at an all-time high. During this time, he began writing books about his success and also about his knowledge of mathematics. His first work was actually written against the jealous colleagues in 1536. This book did not so much focus on his skills, but of his success and the journey. Practica arithmetice was his first book written mainly about his knowledge. This was the beginning of his literacy career. He did not only write about mathematics, but also medicine, philosophy, and much more. In 1539, he obtained information that a fellow mathematician, Nicolò Tartaglia, had learned how to solve cubics. At the time, this was unheard of. Cardano begged Tartaglia to reveal his method of solving these kinds of equations. Tartaglia agreed as long as Cardano swore on oath that he would not publish it. Tartaglia wanted to publish this method himself. For many years, Cardano spent his time trying to solve even further equations on his own. After learning that the credit of solving cubics was not actually given to Tartaglia, he decided that the promise could be dropped. In 1545, he published one of his most famous pieces of work. It was called Ars Magna. In this piece of work, he included the method of solving cubics. This greatly angered Tartaglia. He accused Cardano of perjury and wrote many offensive novels about him. This ended up giving many other mathematicians a lower opinion of Cardano. He did not seem to care much because he had still published the solution
His fame was at an all-time high. During this time, he began writing books about his success and also about his knowledge of mathematics. His first work was actually written against the jealous colleagues in 1536. This book did not so much focus on his skills, but of his success and the journey. Practica arithmetice was his first book written mainly about his knowledge. This was the beginning of his literacy career. He did not only write about mathematics, but also medicine, philosophy, and much more. In 1539, he obtained information that a fellow mathematician, Nicolò Tartaglia, had learned how to solve cubics. At the time, this was unheard of. Cardano begged Tartaglia to reveal his method of solving these kinds of equations. Tartaglia agreed as long as Cardano swore on oath that he would not publish it. Tartaglia wanted to publish this method himself. For many years, Cardano spent his time trying to solve even further equations on his own. After learning that the credit of solving cubics was not actually given to Tartaglia, he decided that the promise could be dropped. In 1545, he published one of his most famous pieces of work. It was called Ars Magna. In this piece of work, he included the method of solving cubics. This greatly angered Tartaglia. He accused Cardano of perjury and wrote many offensive novels about him. This ended up giving many other mathematicians a lower opinion of Cardano. He did not seem to care much because he had still published the solution