Mihailo Petrović Alas Facts & Worksheets

Mihailo Petrović Alas was a notable Serbian mathematician and inventor who made significant contributions to phenomenology and differential equations. He was also the founder of engineering mathematics in Serbia.

Key Facts & Information

Early Life and Education

• Mihailo Petrović was born on May 6, 1868, in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia.
• He belonged to a renowned family, being the firstborn child of his father Nikodim, a theology professor, and his mother, Milica.
• Nikodim died when Mihailo was still a child so Mihailo’s grandfather on his mother’s side, archpriest Novica Lazarević, mostly took care of Mihailo and his schooling. 
• Based on preserved correspondence, Mihailo and his grandfather developed a close relationship. 
• Mihailo Petrović began his education at the First Belgrade Gymnasium in Belgrade, showing a significant interest in mathematics and completing his studies in 1885.
• Subsequently, he enrolled for courses in the natural science-mathematical section of the Faculty of Philosophy in Belgrade. 
• Following his graduation in 1889, Petrović went to Paris to continue his education and pursue the advanced study of mathematics. 
• Upon his arrival in Paris, he began to prepare for the entrance exam to one of the most selective and prestigious graduate schools in Paris: the L’Ecole Normale Supérieure. 
• Petrović passed the entrance exam with the highest marks.
• He studied at Sorbonne University, the top school of mathematics in Europe. 
• In 1892, he obtained a graduate degree in mathematics from the Sorbonne.
• The following year, he obtained a graduate degree in physics, also from the Sorbonne, with a dissertation on differential equations.
• He was given the title Docteur des sciences mathematiques (doctor of mathematical sciences).
• Petrović was recognized as the top student of his generation, and in 1893 and 1894, was invited to receptions given by the President of the French Republic.

Career and Achievements

• In 1894, Petrović became a professor of mathematics at what is now known as the University of Belgrade. 
• At the time, he was considered one of the leading experts of differential equations. 
• He retired from the university in 1938, after 44 years of service. 
• In 1897, he became an associate member of the Serbian Royal Academy and an associate member of the Yugoslav Academy of Sciences and Arts in Zagreb, Croatia.
• In 1899, he became a full member of the Serbian Royal Academy.
• In the 1890s, he constructed the hydraulic integrator, which is an early analog computer for the solution of first-order ordinary differential equations. 
• The hydraulic integrator was displayed at the World Exposition in Paris in 1900 and Petrović won a gold medal for it.
• From 1912 until the Second World War, all doctoral dissertations defended at Belgrade University were under Petrović’s mentorship.
• Throughout his lifetime, Petrović published many journals, and books on his inventions, scientific studies, and even sea expeditions.
• He received plenty of awards and recognition from various societies and academies because of his outstanding scientific work and publications.
• When Jovan Cvijic, president of the Royal Serbian Academy, died in 1927, Petrović was the primary nomination by members of the Academy to be the next president, but authorities rejected this proposal for the reason that Petrović was a close friend of the king’s brother who had been under house arrest.
• Bogdan Gavrilovic, a Serbian mathematician and physicist, was nominated as president instead. 
• In 1939, he was awarded an honorary doctorate at the University of Belgrade and received the order of Saint Sava, first class. 
• Petrović also founded the Belgrade School of Mathematics, which produced a new generation of excellent mathematicians.

Outside of Mathematics

• Mihailo Petrović got his nickname Alas, which means river fisher, from his passion for fishery.
• From being a fishery enthusiast, he eventually became an expert as well.
• In 1882, he became a fisherman apprentice, and in 1895, he took the exam to become a master fisherman. 
• He joined legislative talks about the fishery convention with Romania, as well as talks with Austria-Hungary about the protection of the fishery in the Danube, Drina, and Sava rivers.
• He published reports on the fish found in the Macedonian lakes.
• He played violin, and in 1896, founded the musical band called Suz, which he also conducted.
• Petrović fought in the Balkan Wars and served as an officer in the First World War.
• He also served as a reserve officer after the war. 
• He was called back into service during the Second World War, in which he was captured by the Germans. 
• He was later released because of illness.
• Petrović died at his home in Belgrade on June 8, 1943. 
• His influence on the development of Serbian mathematics was enormous. 
• He is regarded for setting the direction and contributing to the spirit of contemporary European science in Serbia.

Mihailo Petrović Alas Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about Mihailo Petrović Alas across 27 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use worksheets that are perfect for teaching about Mihailo Petrović Alas, a notable Serbian mathematician and inventor who made significant contributions to phenomenology and differential equations. He was also the founder of engineering mathematics in Serbia.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Mihailo Petrović Alas Facts
2. A Portrait of Petrović
3. Titles And Achievements
4. Error Spotting
5. Alas That’s The Word!
6. Serbian Mathematicians
7. Correct Order
8. Serbia Truth Or Trash
9. The Hydraulic Integrator
10. Lesson Review
11. My Own Invention

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Mihailo Petrović Alas?

Mihailo Petrović Alas was a Serbian mathematician and inventor known for his contributions to phenomenology and differential equations and founding engineering mathematics in Serbia.

How did Mihailo Petrović’s early life and education shape his career?

Mihailo Petrović was born in Belgrade in 1868. After the early death of his father, his grandfather took charge of his upbringing. His passion for mathematics led him to study in Belgrade and later in Paris at prestigious institutions like the L’Ecole Normale Supérieure and Sorbonne University, where he earned degrees in both mathematics and physics.

What notable achievements mark Mihailo Petrović’s career?

Mihailo Petrović served as a mathematics professor at the University of Belgrade for 44 years. He created the hydraulic integrator, an innovative analog computer, which he showcased at the World Exposition in Paris in 1900 and won a gold medal. He was a mentor for doctoral students at Belgrade University and authored various scientific publications.

Did Mihailo Petrović have any interests outside of mathematics?

Yes, Mihailo Petrović was passionate about fishery, leading to his nickname ‘Alas,’ meaning river fisher. He became an expert in fisheries, involved in significant legislative discussions. Additionally, he loved music, played the violin, founded a musical band named Suz, and served in multiple wars.

When did Mihailo Petrović Alas die?

Mihailo Petrović Alas passed away in Belgrade on June 8, 1943. His influence on Serbian mathematics was profound, and he played a key role in the development of modern European science in Serbia.

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