ENGLISH

A Primer of Infinitesimal Analysis

By John L. Bell

Book information

Year
2008
ISBN
9780521887182, 0521887186, 9780511371431
LCC
QA299.82 .B45 2008
Open Library ID
OL23158034M
Language
english
Format
PDF
Filesize
2 MB (2146841 bytes)
Edition
2
Pages
138\138
Scanned
yes
Time added
2011-06-04 13:46:07

Description

One of the most remarkable recent occurrences in mathematics is the re-founding, on a rigorous basis, the idea of infinitesimal quantity, a notion which played an important role in the early development of the calculus and mathematical analysis. In this new and updated edition, basic calculus, together with some of its applications to simple physical problems, are presented through the use of a straightforward, rigorous, axiomatically formulated concept of 'zero-square', or 'nilpotent' infinitesimal - that is, a quantity so small that its square and all higher powers can be set, to zero. The systematic employment of these infinitesimals reduces the differential calculus to simple algebra and, at the same time, restores to use the "infinitesimal" methods figuring in traditional applications of the calculus to physical problems - a number of which are discussed in this book. This edition also contains an expanded historical and philosophical introduction.

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