The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
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The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
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1878-1929
Born in 1878 in Lonborg, Jutland, Denmark, Erlang showed early promise in mathematics. At age 14, he passed the required tests in Copenhagen to teach. When he finally attended the University of Copenhagen in 1896, he was so poor that the school supplied him with food and lodgings while he studied there. His major was mathematics but he chose physics, astronomy, and chemistry as minor studies. While attending meetings of the Mathematical Association, he met the chief engineer of the Copenhagen Telephone Company, who persuaded Erlang to use his mathematical skills to benefit his employer. Erlang applied theories of probability to help solve problems in several areas of the company's operations and eventually provided a formula for loss and waiting time, which drew interest from many other countries in Europe, including the British Post Office. Erlang died in 1929 in Copenhagen.