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A Very Ancient Way of Doing Calculus
Cavalieri’s Principle: Before the Giants of Newton and Leibniz
Ancient Foundations of Calculus
If you have taken high school calculus, you will have heard the great names of Newton and Leibniz, who independently developed calculus around the same time. While there might be controversy over who first invented the subject, we can all agree that their contributions laid the foundations upon which much of modern mathematics is built.
But have you ever thought about the work of mathematics prior to Newton’s and Leibniz’s? In fact, we will take a glimpse into the near-century of vigorous investigations in the study of calculus before these two renowned mathematicians. Many of these prior examinations in this intellectual pursuit produced a multitude of intriguing and non-rigorous ways and techniques for meddling with infinities, areas and volumes.
In particular, we will look at a major geometric tool known as Cavalieri’s Principle.
Bonaventura Cavalieri
