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Multiplication: From Thales to Lie

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Abstract

The ancient Greek mathematician Thales of Miletus devised a method to make large measurements like the heights of pyramids. The straightedge or ruler construction of multiplication can be traced back to this method of Thales. The ruler construction also exists for addition. In this article, we indicate how the comparison between these two constructions leads to Lie theory, a device created by Lie to reduce the multiplicative problems to the additive ones. It is hoped that this enhances the interest in these two themes.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mathematics Department, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, 333 031, India

    P. H. Keskar

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  1. P. H. Keskar
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Correspondence to P. H. Keskar.

Additional information

This article is based on a talk presented at a conference in Pune commemorating Professor Abhyankar’s 80th birthday.

Pradipkumar H Keskar did his PhD in mathematics from Purdue University, USA. He has worked in Mehta Research Institute (now called Harish Chandra Research Institute) Allahabad, University of Mumbai and University of Pune. He is currently an Associate Professor in Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani. His research interests are algebraic geometry, and Galois theory.

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Keskar, P.H. Multiplication: From Thales to Lie. Reson 17, 476–486 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12045-012-0051-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12045-012-0051-6

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