Origins in the 16th Century
The story of complex analysis begins in the late 16th century with the introduction of complex numbers. These numbers, initially considered mathematical oddities, laid the ground for more sophisticated theories.
Want to know more about complex numbers? Visit our Complex Numbers Introduction.
The 18th-Century Breakthroughs
Fast forward to the 18th century, where mathematicians like Euler expanded the possibilities by formally introducing the Euler's formula. The bridge between trigonometry and complex exponential functions was established!
Gauss and the 19th Century
During the 19th century, giants like Carl Friedrich Gauss made significant advancements. The field of complex analysis was cultivated further, offering powerful tools that extended mathematical analysis into the complex plane.
Explore the contributions of Gauss in detail on our Gauss's Contributions page.
20th Century and Beyond
Complex analysis continued to evolve throughout the 20th century, influencing fields such as quantum physics, chaos theory, and fluid dynamics. Today, it is considered foundational in modern mathematical and physical theories.