There Champollion was introduced to the famous mathematician Jean-Baptiste Fourier. Fourier had accompanied Napoleon to Egypt, and he showed Champollion his collection of Egyptian antiquities, including a copy of the Rosetta Stone. The ancient hieroglyphs fascinated the boy. He asked Fourier, “Can anyone read them?” The mathematician shook his head, and Champol­lion said, “I am going to do it. In a few years – when I am big.”
—The Riddle of the Rosetta Stone,
James Cross Giblin
Which statement best describes Fourier’s influence on deciphering the Rosetta Stone?
Fourier played a role in deciphering the Rosetta Stone by going to Egypt with Napoleon.
Fourier used mathematics as a tool for deciphering the Rosetta Stone.
Fourier showed Champollion how to read hieroglyphs.
Fourier helped inspire Champollion to work on the Stone’s inscriptions.