Math · 2
Which 18th-century female mathematician corresponded with Carl Friedrich Gauss under the male pseudonym 'Monsieur LeBlanc'?
Answer
Sophie Germain
Sophie Germain adopted the pseudonym 'Monsieur LeBlanc' to correspond with Gauss, as women were not taken seriously in mathematics at the time. When Gauss eventually learned her true identity, he praised her intellect warmly. She made significant contributions to number theory and elasticity theory.
💡 Did you know?
Sophie Germain proved theorems under a man's pseudonym so she could study mathematics—her real identity wasn't fully recognized until after her death.
Other options people guess
- Émilie du Châtelet
- Ada Lovelace
- Maria Agnesi
Topics
- history-of-math
- women-in-math
- number-theory
- 18th-century
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