Isaac Newton: Founder of Calculus

Claudia Crawford

MAT 210

Isaac Newton was born in Woolsthorpe in 1642. Later in life he attended

Cambridge University and soon after became a Professor of Mathematics at Fellow of trinity College. He claims that the majority of his findings and mathematical discoveries took place in between 1665 and 1666. During this time period he produced a text called “Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica” and was also a member of parliament for the University of Cambridge. After this he acquired a career change and became Master of the Mint in London. He was also elected as a

Fellow of the Royal Society of London and later became President of this organization and held this position for the rest of his life. A year after his initial membership, he released a major work called, “Opticks.” Through his works, he became know as the most highly esteemed natural philosopher in Europe. Through out these years he focused on revising his works, polishing his studies, and defending himself against critics to his ideas. In addition to mathematics, Newton was known for his expertise in physical science, chemistry, Western theology, and dimensions.

Newton was very serious about his studies of optics and light, but we are going to zone in on his Mathematical studies and findings. Isaac Newton claims to be self-taught, though he learned the basics of geometry in school. He learned the basics of his knowledge by studying the works of William Oughtred, John Wallis, and

Descartes. The first type of math that Newton was originally known for was his advancements in Geometry. He found solutions for differentiation and integration, as well as discover that the two were inverse to each other. He founded the method of fluxions and the inverse method of fluxions. Before publishing “Opticks” his work on mathematics was unknown to the public. In addition to his geometric findings, he is also known for his findings and work in Calculus. Though Gottfried Wilhelm

Leibniz officially founded Calculus, Isaac Newton previously outlined these ideas.

Leibniz supporters credited Newton with the discovery of the differential method, while Leibniz himself did not. A large dispute was developed between the two over who actually discovered Calculus and lasted even after the death of Leibniz.

Many people in today’s society ask, “Why did Isaac Newton make math so complicated?” I will attempt to provide readers with an answer. To begin, Newton found a need for a more precise system of mathematics. His work in developing the laws of motion and gravitation impacted his creation of calculus. He created calculus by forcing relationships between today’s mathematics and the physical phenomena of past times. Through trial and error he wrote down proofs as to why the laws of gravity can be incorporated into math as well. Calculus was extremely complicated and hard to understand, meaning that only the most educated benefited from it at the given time.

Although many of today’s students complain about math, it is important to understand why we have it, how it works, and who created it. Thankfully however, new discoveries have been added to Newton’s work such as the concept of “limits.” Additions such as this one allow calculus to be simplified and make it easier for student and professors to grasp. In conclusion, although it took a genius to invent it, anyone can understand it with a little hard work and determination.

@futurism. "How and Why Did Newton Develop Such Complicated

Mathematics?" Futurism. N.p., 27 Dec. 2013. Web. 17 Nov. 2016.

Hall, Alfred. "Isaac Newton's Life." Isaac Newton's Life | Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Nov. 2016.