In the most recent chapters, the author
described the invention of calculus, including an explanation of why it works. If
I hadn’t studied calculus myself, I would probably be completely lost, but as I
have, the explanation helped me understand it even better than before. The book
also talked about Zeno’s paradox, which is a paradox about infinity. My
calculus teacher, Dr. Thompson, memorably told us this paradox after a calculus
exam review session but didn’t explain why or what connection it had to
calculus. At least some of the other students and I were baffled and a bit
indignant at having our precious time wasted like that, but now I understand
the relationship to calculus. It doesn’t make Dr. Thompson much less of an
eccentric math professor, though.
It was inspiring to read about how Leibniz
and Newton learned the mathematics that led to calculus. Newton used his force
of will to press through and understand geometry and trigonometry, while
Leibniz, who had no mathematical background, decided to pick it up one day (in
his late twenties?) and read mathematical treatises as if they were novels. I
also wanted to study mathematics after reading about them.
I don’t think the author likes Newton very
much, though he certainly respects him. I do concur with the author’s opinion
that Newton valued his pride entirely too much, and used his slightly higher
prestige to devastate Leibniz’s reputation. Of course, by this time both men
must have been in their sixties at least, so I find it quite childish that they
continued their feud for decades.
