Introduction
The Imitation Game is a movie in which Benedict Cumberbatch plays the famous mathematician Alan Turing. This movie raised questions in my mind: Who is Alan Turing, and how did he influence the field of mathematics? After studying his life and works, I must say that he was one of the greatest mathematicians and computer scientists in history.
Life and Contributions of Alan Turing
Alan Turing was an English mathematician, philosopher, and logician. He studied mathematics and philosophy at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge. The impact of Alan Turing’s work in mathematics and computer science was enormous. He was one of the authors of several theories: the theory of computability, the invention of the computer, and the formulation of the theory of algorithms (Gonçalves, 2020).
He was the first to work on creating the computer and also created the rule that reflects the achievability of computable tasks. He proposed his unique concept of the Turing machine, which became the basis for the computer and the theory of algorithms. He also paved the way for controlling the machine through programming.
Furthermore, Alan Turing was an important part of the Second World War. He utilized his skills and knowledge to develop a machine known as the “Enigma Decoder,” which was used to decipher German messages. This machine played an important role in achieving England’s victory (Gonçalves, 2020). In the modern world, Enigma Decoder is a computer program used to analyze and decode various algorithms and ciphers; it can be used for analyzing encryption, password protection, protocols, and cryptographic algorithms.
Conclusion
Overall, Alan Turing made an invaluable contribution to mathematics and computer science. He made a significant contribution not only to the field of mathematics but also inspired many people to study it! Thanks to his work, humanity has gained many advantages and achieved unpredictable progress, which has influenced almost all spheres of life. Even after he died in 1954, his work continues to inspire many and help humanity.
Reference
Gonçalves, B. (2020). Machines will think: Structure and interpretation of Alan Turing’s imitation game. [Doctoral dissertation, University of São Paulo]. PhilSci Archive.