Chebyshev, Pafnuty Lvovich (1821–1894)

Russian mathematician. He was professor at St Petersburg University (1843–82). He was a prolific mathematician with interests in many areas of the subject. His first work was on the theory of numbers, in particular on the distribution of prime numbers. He then turned to applied mathematics and began a lengthy study of mechanical systems. Besides making numerous practical inventions concerning mechanisms, he also developed techniques of numerical analysis for dealing with theoretical calculations in mechanics. He later tackled probability and statistics, fields in which he proved important basic theorems including the law of large numbers. Chebyshev was born in Okatovo in the Kaluga region of Russia.