Search results for "Diophantine equations"

Pietro Mengoli and the six-square problem

1994

The aim of this paper is to analyze a little known aspect of Pietro Mengoli's (1625-1686) mathematical activity: the difficulties he faced in trying to solve some problems in Diophantine analysis suggested by J. Ozanam. Mengoli's recently published correspondence reveals how he cherished his prestige as a scholar. At the same time, however, it also shows that his insufficient familiarity with algebraic methods prevented him, as well as other Italian mathematicians of his time, from solving the so-called “French” problems. Quite different was the approach used for the same problems by Leibniz, who, although likewise partially unsuccessful, demonstrated a deeper mathematical insight which led…