Carl Louis Ferdinand von Lindemann

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Carl Louis Ferdinand von Lindemann

1852-1939

German mathematician who was the first to prove π is a transcendental number (a number that is not the root of any algebraic equation with rational coefficients). Lindemann's work was primarily in geometry and analysis, in which, among other accomplishments, he proved that it is impossible to "square the circle"—that is, to construct a square with an area identical to a given circle using only a ruler and compass.

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Carl Louis Ferdinand von Lindemann

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