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Kolmogorov was one of the developers of probability theory.Kolmogorov graduated from Moscow State University in 1925 and then taught on the staff, becoming a professor there in 1931. In 1939 he was elected to the Soviet Academy of Sciences. He received the Lenin Prize in 1965 and the Order of Lenin on six separate occasions.
His work on probability theory started with a major paper in 1933. He built up probability theory in a rigorous way from fundamental axioms in a way comparable with Euclid's treatment of geometry. One success of this approach is that it provides a rigorous definition of conditional expectation. Kolmogorov later extended his work to study the motion of the planets and the turbulent flow of air from a jet engine.
In 1941 he published two papers on turbulence which are of fundamental importance.
In 1954 he developed his work on dynamical systems in relation to planetary motion. He thus demonstrated the vital role of probability theory in physics.
He had many interests outside mathematics, in particular he was interested in the form and structure of the poetry of the Russian author Pushkin.
References (19 books/articles)
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