Justifying the use of geometry in number theory: examples in C. F. Gauss and H. Minkowski (Q2849096)

The article under review shows how C. F. Gauss and H. Minkowski justified the use of geometry in number theory: in particular, it is shown that they cited values such as efficiency, simplicity, aesthetics and generality, and for them these criteria are associated with geometry.NEWLINENEWLINETo do this, the author explains that during the first half of the nineteenth century, Gauss introduced various geometric representations of his arithmetic results in the study of binary quadratic forms, while in the late nineteenth century, Minkowski introduced the ``geometry of numbers'', that can be translated as the use of geometry in number theory.NEWLINENEWLINEFor the entire collection see [Zbl 1236.03004].