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Pierre-Simon Laplace

In Our Time

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From Farm to Mathematics: Laplace's Journey

This chapter chronicles the early life of Pierre-Simon Laplace, detailing his transition from a humble rural background in Normandy to a successful mathematics career in Paris. It highlights his strategic engagement with influential figures, particularly Jean-Baptiste Laurent d'Alembert, and the academic challenges of 18th-century France. Additionally, the narrative explores Laplace's contributions to probability, planetary motion, and the nebula hypothesis, framing his ideas within a deterministic universe.

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