Johann Carl Friedrich Gauss, a renowned mathematician, set his sights on achieving a mathematical feat: a regular heptadecagon. This 17-sided shape, symbolizing one of Gauss’s greatest contributions to math, was used to solve a longstanding problem in math when Gauss was just 18 years old. Despite the challenge, Gauss demonstrated that this complex shape was constructible with a compass and straightedge, showcasing the deep connections between ancient geometric concepts and modern algebraic operations. While Gauss’s dream of having a heptadecagon on his headstone didn’t materialize, his legacy endures through his groundbreaking work.
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-this-great-mathematician-wanted-a-heptadecagon-on-his-tombstone/