Gerolamo Cardano or Girolamo Cardano ( English Jerome Cardan , Latin Hieronymus Cardanus ; September 24 , 1501 - September 21 1576 ) was a celebrated Italian Renaissance mathematician , physician , astrologer and gambler . Gerolamo ( or Girolamo , or Geronimo ) Cardano ( French JÃ rÃ me Cardan ; Latin Hieronymus Cardanus ) ( 24 September 1501 â `` 21 September 1576 ) was an Italian Renaissance mathematician , physician , astrologer and gambler .