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Antoine Augustin Cournot (28 August 1801‑ 31
March 1877) was a French people|French philosopher
and mathematician. 

Antoine Augustin Cournot was born at Gray,
Haute-Saone. In 1821 he entered a teachers’
training college, and in 1829 he had earned a
doctoral degree in mathematics, with mechanics as
his main thesis supplemented by astrology. After
graduating, Cournot held many positions as
professor of analysis and mechanics, chief
examiner for undergraduate students, and rector of
Dijon Academy. 

Cournot was mainly a mathematician, but did have
some influence over economics. His theories on
monopolies and duopolies are still famous. In 1838
Researches on the Mathematical Principals of the
Theory of Wealth was published, and still has
influence in economics today. In this book he used
the application of the formulas and symbols of
mathematics in economic analysis, which was highly
criticized. This book was not very successful
during Cournot’s lifetime, and he did try to
rewrite it twice.  Today many economists believe
this book to be the point of departure for modern
economic analysis. Cournot introduced the ideas of
function and probability into economic analysis.
He derived the first formula for the rule of
supply and demand as a function of price. 

Cournot believed that economists must utilize the
tools of mathematics only to establish probable
limits and to express less stable facts in more
absolute terms. He further held that the practical
uses of mathematics in economics do not
necessarily involve strict numerical precision. 

Today, Cournot’s work is recognized in a
discipline called econometrics. He was also a
teacher of political economy and mathematics to
Auguste Walras, who was the father of Leon Walras.
Cournot and Auguste Walras persuaded Leon Walras
to try political economics. Cournot is also
credited to be one of the sources of inspiration
for Leon Walras and his equilibrium theory. 

By the time Cournot died in 1877, he was nearly
blind.

In the field of economics he is best known for his
work in the field of oligopoly theory - Cournot
competition

==External links==

*http://cepa.newschool.edu/het/profiles/cournot.ht
m "Antoine Augustin Cournot" in New School
Profiles

*MacTutor Biography|id=Cournot

For an interesting early 20th century evaluation
see
*http://encyclopedia.jrank.org/COR_CRE/COURNOT_ANT
OINE_AUGUSTIN_1801_.html "Cournot, Antoine
Augustin (1801-1877)" 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica