Carl Friedrich Gauss was one the great mathematicians of modern time. His work in
the areas of statistics, probability, astronomy and geodesy, among other fields, established
basic principles in the scientific world without the benefits of modern technology.
Gauss was recognized as a prodigy at an early age. He had taught himself reading and
arithmetic by the age of three. It has been written that at this age Gauss pointed out a
figuring error his father had made. At the age of 10, he was permitted to attend an
arithmetic class where his genius was recognize…