Subject: Re: [HM] Argand and Legendre's fundamental theorem of algebra
From: Franz Lemmermeyer (franzl@csusm.edu)
Date: Tue Aug 22 2000 - 21:37:45 EDT
Udai Venedem asked:
[fundamental theorem of algebra]
> It is currently said that Legendre took it from Argand. But then,
> how is it that Legendre does not say it, he who is the most of an
> honest man?
If I recall it correctly, Legendre (in his book) does not give credit
to Jacobi for the proof of the quadratic reciprocity law, although
he certainly did not claim that the proof was his own. Jacobi
repeatedly referred to his proof as the one "that Legendre included
in his 3rd edition" of his number theory, and Jacobi and Legendre
always were on friendly terms.
Why Legendre used references only occasionally I don't know, but I
don't think that it has something to do with not being honest.
franz
P.S. Hello everybody - it's good to be back.
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