Archimedes (c. 287–212 BCE)

Question 1

Where was Archimedes born?

Answer 1

Syracuse, Sicily

Question 2

What is Archimedes most famous for discovering?

Answer 2

The principle of buoyancy, also known as Archimedes’ Principle

Question 3

Which exclamation did Archimedes famously shout after discovering buoyancy?

Answer 3

Eureka!

Question 4

Name one significant mathematical contribution made by Archimedes.

Answer 4

He approximated the value of pi with high precision.

Question 5

Fill in the blank: Archimedes was born around the year _____.

Answer 5

287 BCE

Question 6

What type of war machines did Archimedes design?

Answer 6

The Claw of Archimedes and other devices to defend Syracuse

Question 7

What invention by Archimedes is still used for water management today?

Answer 7

The Archimedes Screw

Question 8

Which major Greek city-state was Archimedes associated with?

Answer 8

Syracuse

Question 9

Fill in the blank: Archimedes’ work laid the foundation for the field of _____, which deals with the behavior of fluids at rest.

Answer 9

hydrostatics

Question 10

How did Archimedes influence the development of calculus?

Answer 10

His method of exhaustion was a precursor to integral calculus.

Question 11

What happened to Archimedes during the Roman siege of Syracuse?

Answer 11

He was killed by a Roman soldier.

Question 12

What did Archimedes claim he could move with a long enough lever?

Answer 12

The Earth

Question 13

Which Greek mathematician influenced fields like geometry, physics, and engineering?

Answer 13

Archimedes

Question 14

Fill in the blank: Archimedes lived during the _____ period, marked by the spread of Greek culture throughout the Mediterranean.

Answer 14

Hellenistic

Question 15

What is the name of the overwritten manuscript that contained lost works of Archimedes?

Answer 15

The Archimedes Palimpsest

Question 16

Why did Archimedes run naked through the streets of Syracuse?

Answer 16

He was excited after discovering the principle of buoyancy.

Question 17

Which famous mathematician worked on the concept of infinity through geometric shapes?

Answer 17

Archimedes

Question 18

Name a challenge that Archimedes faced during his lifetime.

Answer 18

Defending Syracuse during the Roman siege

Question 19

What geometric tool is named after Archimedes?

Answer 19

The Archimedean spiral

Question 20

Fill in the blank: Archimedes’ work on _____ and pulleys contributed to the understanding of mechanical advantage.

Answer 20

levers

Question 21

How did Archimedes contribute to modern warfare?

Answer 21

He designed war machines to defend Syracuse, including the Claw of Archimedes.

Question 22

What phrase did Archimedes reportedly say before being killed?

Answer 22

Do not disturb my circles!

Question 23

Fill in the blank: The Archimedes’ Principle states that a body submerged in a fluid experiences an upward force equal to the weight of the _____ it displaces.

Answer 23

fluid

Question 24

What historical event led to Archimedes’ death?

Answer 24

The Roman siege of Syracuse

Question 25

What legacy did Archimedes leave for future mathematicians like Newton and Leibniz?

Answer 25

His methods influenced the development of calculus.