Abraham de Moivre

Abraham de Moivre (1667–1754) was a French-born mathematician who developed influential results in probability, approximated the binomial distribution with the normal curve, and formulated a theorem for powers of complex numbers.

Complex number: A number expressible as a real part plus an imaginary part. De Moivre’s formula connects powers of complex numbers to their trigonometric form.
De Moivre's formula: The identity expressing powers of cosine plus imaginary sine through multiplication of the angle by an integer. This theorem is de Moivre’s best-known result about complex-number powers.
Revocation of the Edict of Nantes: Louis XIV’s 1685 decree ending legal protections for French Protestants and prompting widespread emigration. De Moivre, a Protestant, left France during the period of intensified religious persecution.
Isaac Newton: English mathematician and natural philosopher whose work transformed mathematics and physics. Newton reportedly helped secure de Moivre’s recognition in Britain after his arrival from France.
Mathematical statistics: The use of probability theory to develop methods for analyzing data and drawing conclusions. His approximation became part of the mathematical foundation later used in statistical inference.
Probability theory: The mathematical study of uncertainty and random events. De Moivre helped establish probability as a mathematical discipline.
De Moivre–Laplace theorem: A theorem giving a normal approximation to binomial probabilities as the number of trials grows. It formalizes the probability approximation associated with de Moivre’s work.
Huguenots: French Protestants, especially followers of the Reformed tradition, who faced periods of persecution. De Moivre belonged to the Protestant community whose migration shaped his life in England.
Edmond Halley: English astronomer and mathematician who calculated the orbit of the comet later named after him. Halley and de Moivre belonged to overlapping London scientific circles.
Complex analysis: The study of functions of complex variables and their properties. De Moivre’s formula is a basic tool in the manipulation of complex powers and roots.

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