What is the origin of the word calculus?
The word calculus means small pebble in Latin, a diminutive of calx which translates to stone. Ancient Romans used these tiny stones for counting distances and tallying votes on an abacus.
Questions about Calculus
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Who independently formulated infinitesimal calculus in the late 17th century?
Isaac Newton and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz each independently formulated infinitesimal calculus in the late 17th century. Both men are now given credit for independently inventing and developing calculus despite the priority dispute.
When was the first complete treatise on calculus written in English using Leibniz notation published?
The first complete treatise on calculus written in English using Leibniz notation was not published until 1815. This work followed decades where Newton called his calculus the science of fluxions which endured in English schools into the 19th century.
How does calculus define the derivative of a function at a specific point?
The derivative is defined by taking the limit as h tends to zero for all small values of h. For the squaring function at point three the slope of the tangent line equals six.
What role does calculus play in modern physics theories like general relativity?
Maxwell's theory of electromagnetism and Einstein's theory of general relativity are expressed in language of differential calculus. Calculus serves as the mathematical backbone for solving problems where variable quantities change with time or another reference value.