The Development of Newtonian Calculus in Britain, 1700–1800

Niccolò Guicciardini (Professor in History of Science)

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English

Cambridge University Pres
13 January 2004

History of ideas; Mathematics & Sciences; Philosophy of mathematics; Calculus of variations; History of mathematics; History of science

"Guicciardini presents a comprehensive survey of both the research and teaching of Newtonian calculus, the calculus of ""fluxions"", over the period between 1700 and 1810.

Although Newton was one of the inventors of calculus, the developments in Britain remained separate from the rest of Europe for over a century.

While it is usually maintained that after Newton there was a period of decline in British mathematics, the author's research demonstrates that the methods used by researchers of the period yielded considerable success in laying the foundations and investigating the applications of the calculus.

Even when ""decline"" set in, in mid century, the foundations of the reform were being laid, which were to change the direction and nature of the mathematics community.

The book considers the importance of Isaac Newton, Roger Cotes, Brook Taylor, James Stirling, Abraham de Moivre, Colin Maclaurin, Thomas Bayes, John Landen and Edward Waring.

This will be a useful book for students and researchers in the history of science, philosophers of science and undergraduates studying the history of mathematics."

By: Niccolò Guicciardini (Professor in History of Science)
Imprint: Cambridge University Pres
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 152mm, Spine: 14mm
Weight: 360g
ISBN: 9780521524841
ISBN 10: 0521524849
Pages: 244
Publication Date: 13 January 2004
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Introduction; Overture: Newton's published work on the calculus of fluxions; Part I. The Early Period: 1. The diffusion of the calculus (1700–1730); 2. Developments in the calculus of fluxions (1714–1733); 3. The controversy on the foundations of the calculus (1734–1742); Part II. The Middle Period: 4. The textbooks on fluxions (1736–1758); 5. Some applications of the calculus (1740–1743); 6. The analytic art (1755–1785); Part III. The Reform: 7. Scotland (1785–1809); 8. The Military Schools (1773–1819); 9. Cambridge and Dublin (1790–1820); 10. Tables; Endnotes; Bibliography; Index.

Niccol- Guicciardini holds degrees in physics and philosophy awarded by the Universit... degli Studi di Milano. This book is the published version of his Ph.D. thesis in the history of mathematics, written under the supervision of Ivor Grattan-Guinness at Middlesex Polytechnic. Niccol- Guicciardini is Co-Editor in Chief of Historia Mathematica and is a recipient of the Sarton Medal for 2011-2012, awarded by the University of Ghent, Belgium.

Reviews for The Development of Newtonian Calculus in Britain, 1700–1800

...provides a much needed reminder that mathematical ideas are transmitted through teaching and cultural influences as well as through research. Nature ...a very valuable picture of a generally neglected mathematical community and it provides a better background for understanding the reform of the approach to the calculus in Britain in the 1810s. Mathematical Reviews ...a clear and well-organized treatment of the development of eighteenth-century English mathematics. Joan Richards, Isis On the whole the author's case is well argued and the level of scholarship is high...will be of value to anyone interested in the history and philosophy of mathematics in the eighteenth century. Douglas Jesseph, Philosophy of Science