A Primer of Infinistesimal Analysis

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.

Author: John L. Bell
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 03/01/2008
Pages: 138
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.73lbs
Size: 9.29h x 6.22w x 0.57d
ISBN: 9780521887182

About the Author
Bell, John L.: - John L. Bell is Professor of Philosophy at the University of Western Ontario. He is the author of 7 other books, including Models and Ultraproducts with A. B. Slomson, A Course in Mathematical Logic with M. Machover, Logical Options with D. DeVidi and G. Solomon, Set Theory: Boolean-Valued Models and Independence Proofs, and The Continuous and the Infinitesimal in Mathematics and Philosophy.