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From quadrature to integration: thirteen years in the life of the cissoid

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 September 2016

Jan Van Maanen*
Affiliation:
Mathematisch Instituut, Rijksuniversiteit Utrecht, PO Box 80.010, 3508 TA Utrecht, The Netherlands

Extract

In this article I shall take a problem, the quadrature of the cissoid, and compare a hard (but brilliant!) pre-calculus solution of 1658 with the easy (and routine) calculus solution of only 13 years later. Afterwards we shall perhaps see the calculus through different eyes and maybe even teach it differently. Calculus is mechanical, but that it is mechanical is a marvel.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Mathematical Association 1991

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