Calculus is the field of mathematics that analyses aspects of change in processes or systems that can be modelled by functions. It is used in solving some of the difficult problems in physics and engineering. Calculus dates back to the ancient Greeks. They used a type of integration to find an area of a circle (r). They then placed large numbers of triangles into the circle. As the number of triangles increases, the sum of their areas approaches the area of the circle as a limit. However, the Greek could not solve this problem using integral calculus. It wasn't until the late 1600's where both Wilhelm Leibniz and Isaac Newton (working separately), each invented integral calculus. For centuries, there have been heated debates on the true creator of calculus. Its been stated that Newton was the first to create the idea of calculus, but Leibniz was the first to publically propose and publish his work. This debate could go on forever. Both Leibniz and Newton contributed greatly to calculus. The following we discuss the life of Leibniz, and his contribution of integration, and differentiation(system of notation) to calculus.
.
Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, a German mathematician and philosopher, was born in Leipzig in the year of 1646. His father died when he was six, and spent many years studying in his father's library. He entered Leipzig University when he was 15, and obtained his doctorate for law at 20 from Altdorf University. In 1667, he was employed by the archbishop to restructure the law and to write political and religious verses. In 1684, Leibniz published his works of differential and integral calculus, three years before Isaac Newton published his. Leibniz also contributed to optics and mechanics. In 1700 he created the German Academy of Sciences in Berlin, and obviously became its first president. For the remainder of his life, he worked to harmonize the Protestant churches in several countries, served the dukes of Braunschweig-Luneburg as librarian and privy councilor, and was a dedicated civilian to his town and country, until he past away in 1716.