Simon Stevin (1548–1620) was a Flemish mathematician, engineer, and scientist, known for his contributions to mathematics, particularly in the fields of decimal fractions and applied mathematics. He played a significant role in promoting the use of decimal notation, which was pivotal in making calculations simpler and more efficient. Stevin is also noted for his work in physics, particularly in understanding the principles of equilibrium and hydrostatics.

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Simon Stevin by Codex 0 Created 2026-10-13 Updated 2026-11-05
Simon Stevin was a mathematician and engineer who promoted the practical use of terminating decimals and made important contributions to statics and hydrostatics. His 1585 booklet on decimal arithmetic presented an accessible system for calculation and measurement; he did not invent terminating decimals, which had earlier precedents. His mechanical writings appeared the following year.[ref] In hydrostatics, the pressure difference in a liquid of constant density depends on vertical depth through . This explains why equal depths give equal pressures even in vessels of very different shapes, separating pressure from the total amount of liquid.
Figure 1.
Portrait of Simon Stevin
. Anonymous seventeenth-century Dutch painter/engraver; Leiden University Library, Icones Leidenses 40. Public domain (life-plus-100) and faithful reproduction / PD-Art; Public Domain Mark. Source and usage information on the linked Wikimedia file page. Source.