this is my algebra class report on rené decartes i hope all my viewers like it feel free to leave a coment.

René Descartes Early

René Descartes was born in France in the year of 1596. Like many great thinkers René loved math, science, and philosophy. René liked to lie in bed until late morning thinking about the great work he would soon master. René realized how much he real didn’t know. Rene’s best subject was math. So he realized he should zone in on that subject.

René’s Well Known Contributions

One of his most well known contributions to the field of mathematics was his work in analytical geometry. René was able to use algebra to prove ideas that where very advanced for his time. René used analytic geometry to describe the shapes of various polynomial functions, and the solutions to polynomial equations of degree higher than two. He also showed that the points in which two curves intersect could be determined by finding the roots common to their two equations. René also worked with algebra in geometric figures. Such as the coordinate grid, the Cartesian plane. René invented the system of using the first letters of the alphabet to represent known numbers, and the last letters to represent unknowns. René also introduced the method for writing powers that we are familiar with. As an example, if you want to write 4 x 4 x 4, you can use 4^3.

Little known facts

René was working on a major physics project when he heard Galileo was put on house arrest. So René wisely decided not to risk publication, and moved on to other studies, particularly mathematics.

In the area of science, Descartes did work in optics, astronomy and meteorology, but his work here was flawed, and nowhere near as impressive as his results in mathematics and philosophy.

His most famous philosophical work dealt with the concept of 'existence'. In his investigation of reality, Descartes decided his first step would be to discover some fact that was indisputable. He realized that there was one thing he never doubted -- that he existed. "I think," he wrote, "therefore I am." (in Latin: cogito, ergo sum). It didn't matter to Descartes whether this thinking was part of a dream or a hallucination, or even if he was crazy. The fact that thought was going on proved that he existed, because there had to be a thinker.

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