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Mathematical Papers

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An almost entirely self-taught mathematical genius, George Green (1793 –1841) is best known for Green's theorem, which is used in almost all computer codes that solve partial differential equations. He also published influential essays, or papers, in the fields of hydrodynamics, electricity, and magnetism. This collection comprises his most significant works.
The first paper, "An Essay on the Application of Mathematical Analysis to the Theories of Electricity and Magnetism," which is also the longest and perhaps the most Important, appeared In 1828. It introduced the term potential as designating the result obtained by adding together the masses of all the particles of a system, each divided by its distance from a given point. Its three-part treatment first considers the properties of this function and then applies them, in the second and third parts, to the theories of magnetism and electricity.
The following paper, "Mathematical Investigations concerning the Laws of the Equilibrium of Fluids analogous to the Electric Fluid," exhibits great analytical power, as does the next, "On the Determination of the Exterior and Interior Attractions of Ellipsoids of Variable Densities." Other highlights include the brief but absorbing paper, "On the Motion of Waves in a variable canal of small depth and width," and two of his most valuable memoirs, "On the Laws of Reflexlon and Refraction of Sound" and "On the Reflexlon and Refraction of Light at the common surface of two non-crystallized Media," which should be studied together.

352 pages, Hardcover

Published January 27, 2005

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George Green

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George Green (14 July 1793 – 31 May 1841) was a British mathematician and physicist, who wrote An Essay on the Application of Mathematical Analysis to the Theories of Electricity and Magnetism (Green, 1828). The essay introduced several important concepts, among them a theorem similar to the modern Green's theorem, the idea of potential functions as currently used in physics, and the concept of what are now called Green's functions. George Green was the first person to create a mathematical theory of electricity and magnetism and his theory formed the foundation for the work of other scientists such as James Clerk Maxwell, William Thomson, and others. His work ran parallel to that of the great mathematician Gauss (potential theory).

Green's life story is remarkable in that he was almost entirely self-taught. He was born and lived for most of his life in the English town of Sneinton, Nottinghamshire, nowadays part of the city of Nottingham. His father (also named George) was a baker who had built and owned a brick windmill used to grind grain. The younger Green only had about one year of formal schooling as a child, between the ages of 8 and 9.

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