Vladimir Ivanovich Smirnov (; 10 June 1887 – 11 February 1974) was a Soviet

mathematician A mathematician is someone who uses an extensive knowledge of mathematics in their work, typically to solve mathematical problems. Mathematicians are concerned with numbers, data, quantity, mathematical structure, structure, space, Mathematica ...

who made significant contributions in both pure and

applied mathematics Applied mathematics is the application of mathematics, mathematical methods by different fields such as physics, engineering, medicine, biology, finance, business, computer science, and Industrial sector, industry. Thus, applied mathematics is a ...

, and also in the history of mathematics. Smirnov worked on diverse areas of mathematics, such as

complex function Complex analysis, traditionally known as the theory of functions of a complex variable, is the branch of mathematical analysis that investigates functions of complex numbers. It is helpful in many branches of mathematics, including algebraic g ...

s and conjugate functions in

Euclidean space Euclidean space is the fundamental space of geometry, intended to represent physical space. Originally, in Euclid's ''Elements'', it was the three-dimensional space of Euclidean geometry, but in modern mathematics there are ''Euclidean spaces ...

s. In the applied field his work includes the propagation of waves in elastic media with plane boundaries (with

Sergei Sobolev Prof Sergei Lvovich Sobolev, FRSE (; 6 October 1908 – 3 January 1989) was a Soviet Union, Soviet mathematician working in mathematical analysis and partial differential equations. Sobolev introduced notions that are now fundamental for severa ...

) and the oscillations of elastic spheres. His pioneering approach to solving the initial-boundary value problem to the wave equation formed the basis of the spacetime triangle diagram (STTD) technique for wave motion developed by his follower Victor Borisov (also known as the

Smirnov method of incomplete separation of variables In physics and mathematics, the spacetime triangle diagram (STTD) technique, also known as the Smirnov method of incomplete separation of variables, is the direct space-time domain method for electromagnetic and scalar wave motion. Basic stages ...

). Smirnov was a Ph.D. student of Vladimir Steklov. Among his notable students were Sergei Sobolev,

Solomon Mikhlin Solomon Grigor'evich Mikhlin (, real name Zalman Girshevich Mikhlin) (the family name is also transliterated as Mihlin or Michlin) (23 April 1908 – 29 August 1990) was a Soviet mathematician of who worked in the fields of linear elasticity, si ...

and Nobel prize winner

Leonid Kantorovich Leonid Vitalyevich Kantorovich (, ; 19 January 19127 April 1986) was a Soviet mathematician and economist, known for his theory and development of techniques for the optimal allocation of resources. He is regarded as the founder of linear programm ...

Smirnov is also widely known among students for his five volume series (in seven books) ''A Course in Higher Mathematics'' (Курс высшей математики) (the first volume was written jointly with

Jacob Tamarkin Jacob David Tamarkin (, ; 11 July 1888 – 18 November 1945) was a Russian-American mathematician, best known for his work in mathematical analysis. Biography Tamarkin was born in Chernigov, Russian Empire (now Chernihiv, Ukraine), to a weal ...

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* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Smirnov, Vladimir 1887 births 1974 deaths 20th-century Russian mathematicians Mathematicians from Saint Petersburg Academic staff of Perm State University Academic staff of Saint Petersburg State University Academic staff of the Steklov Institute of Mathematics Academic staff of Tavrida National V.I. Vernadsky University Full Members of the USSR Academy of Sciences Saint Petersburg State University alumni Heroes of Socialist Labour Recipients of the Order of Lenin Recipients of the Order of the Red Banner of Labour Recipients of the Stalin Prize Mathematicians from the Russian Empire Russian mathematicians Soviet mathematicians