Maria Gaetana Agnesi

About

• May 16, 1718- January 9, 1799- Milan, Italy
• Italian philosopher and mathematician
• Was known as a "child prodigy"
• Published the Propisitiones Philosophicae

The Convent

• Catholic
• More passionate about religion than math & science
• Her father denied her request to join the convent
• After he died, she stopped math & science to became a nun

Struggles

• Some ideas weren't taken seriously because she was a woman 
• Criticized for being religious
• Very shy, had trouble presenting to large groups
• Loved math and science, but didn't have great interest to pursue it 

Discoveries

• "Witch of Agnesi", mathematical curve
• Helped create the concept of Calculus
• Also wrote about algebra, trigonometry, and geometry

Impact on Math & Science

• Agnesi Curve, still common today
• Wrote Analytical Institutions, calculus textbook
• Recognized by Pope Benedict XIV for her discoveries

Work Cited

• agnesscott.edu
• google images
• history.berkeley.edu
• math.about.com