Disputatio:Calculus infinitesimalis
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
I have worried a couple times abotu how to say "calculus" in Latin. The problem is, of course, that calculus really means ANY system of calculations. SOme adjective would be needed to separate this from other calculi. The problem is that although calculus was invented in the Latin era, I think the terms used would now be understood to refer to specific subsections of what we now consider calculus, e.g. calculus differentialis --Iustinus 08:39, 4 Februarii 2007 (UTC)
- A good point, I was just shocked we didn't have it (could you tell by my pathetic definition of the lemma that it was hasty?). Other romance languages use infinitessimalis, though I kind of like differentialis having been a loyal servant of diff eq. This page should be a big article, historical systems of counting, you're right. What's your take, differentialis, or inifinitesimalis?--Ioshus (disp) 08:58, 4 Februarii 2007 (UTC)
- I don't know, but I'm pretty sure I've seen both differentialis and infinitessimalis in period books. But isn't "differential calculus" a specific subset of calculus? --Iustinus 09:06, 4 Februarii 2007 (UTC)
- Well, I would consider integral and differential calculus nearly identically opposite. They are not separate, but are yin and yang. At the risk of sounding exclusive, infinitesimalis might be better, especially if you have seen both.--Ioshus (disp) 09:20, 4 Februarii 2007 (UTC)
- Surely Newton & Leibnitz had words for these things?! IacobusAmor 14:00, 4 Februarii 2007 (UTC)
- Well look at the cite for Marchio Hospitalius... "Calculus infinitesimalis, seu differentialis". I'm leaning towards titling it infinitesimalis, with a sive differentialis and a redirect. Anyone object? Furthermore, Iacobe, there are some who discredit nearly everything Newton had to say about calculus, I'd trust Leibnitius over Newty any day of the week. But your point stands, let me take a look.--Ioshus (disp) 15:56, 4 Februarii 2007 (UTC)
- I've read up on this before, Iacobe, but I don't remember much of what I found. I do, however, recall that it was Leibniz who first used the term "Calculus." Newton apparently called his new math "The Science of Fluxions." I guess what would be ideal would be to track down where Leibniz first used the term in print, since there's an excellent chance it was published in Latin. But for the time being, I'm leaning the same way Josh is: Calculus infinitessimalis. --Iustinus 18:49, 4 Februarii 2007 (UTC)
- Surely Newton & Leibnitz had words for these things?! IacobusAmor 14:00, 4 Februarii 2007 (UTC)
- Well, I would consider integral and differential calculus nearly identically opposite. They are not separate, but are yin and yang. At the risk of sounding exclusive, infinitesimalis might be better, especially if you have seen both.--Ioshus (disp) 09:20, 4 Februarii 2007 (UTC)
infinitessimalis aut infinitesimalis? --UV 01:51, 5 Februarii 2007 (UTC)