Britain · 1806-1871
Augustus De Morgan
Augustus De Morgan was mathematician and logician. He developed formal logic and stated laws describing how negation interacts with AND and OR.
Biographical and historical reference works document Augustus De Morgan’s role and the mathematical work summarized on this page.
6-8, 9-12, College
The person and the work
Biography
Augustus De Morgan was mathematician and logician associated with Britain. He developed formal logic and stated laws describing how negation interacts with AND and OR.
De Morgan’s laws are used directly in set theory, probability, circuit design, and programming. Together, these contributions connect algebra and functions and statistics and probability to the working problems, tools, and questions of the period.
Mathematical contribution
What this hero added or preserved
Core mathematical work
He developed formal logic and stated laws describing how negation interacts with AND and OR.
Method, teaching, or application
De Morgan’s laws are used directly in set theory, probability, circuit design, and programming.
Why this matters
The larger lesson
Augustus De Morgan shows that mathematics grows through proof, calculation, observation, design, teaching, or careful records. The lasting lesson is that algebra and functions and statistics and probability can turn a difficult question into a method another person can inspect and reuse.
Place the work in time
Timeline
- 1806
Life and working period
Augustus De Morgan worked as mathematician and logician in Britain.
- Legacy
Lasting mathematical connection
De Morgan’s laws are used directly in set theory, probability, circuit design, and programming.
Key idea
An equation balances two descriptions
Augustus De Morgan’s work shows how symbols can represent an unknown quantity while preserving equality.
In 7x + 9 = 51, subtracting 9 and dividing by 7 gives x = 6.
Try it yourself
Solve the equation
Solve 7x + 9 = 51.
- Subtract 9 from both sides.
- Divide both sides by 7.
- Substitute the result to check.
Show the answer
x = 6.
Math at work
Programmers and data analysts use the same habits
Programmers and data analysts use algebra and functions to plan, compare, test, or communicate decisions. Augustus De Morgan’s work provides a historical example of that connection.
Keep curiosity alive
A little-known fact
De Morgan’s laws are used directly in set theory, probability, circuit design, and programming.
Augustus De Morgan matters because of only one famous formula or anecdote.
The documented record is broader: He developed formal logic and stated laws describing how negation interacts with AND and OR.
Keep exploring
Connected learning paths
Practice these ideas
- Pre-AlgebraBridge arithmetic and algebra with integers, ratios, and equations.
- Algebra IPractice equations, variables, functions, ratios, and inequalities.
- Algebra IIWork with quadratics, polynomials, systems, and sequences.
- Statistics & ProbabilityWork with averages, data sets, probability, and spread.