Niccoló Tartaglia was an Italian mathematician who, with along with Girolamo Cardano, discovered the algebraic solution of the cubic – an equation of the form x ³ + ax ² + bx + d = 0. He was also a well-known inventor of mathematical recreations. He devised many arithmetical problems, and contributed especially to measuring and weighing problems and to river-crossing problems. From 1534 he taught in Venice. Although his real name was Niccoló Fontana, he is always referred to as Tartaglia, "the stammerer." In Nova Scientia (1537), Tartaglia applied mathematics to ballistics. Other publications include Trattato di Numeri et Misure (1556–1560).