You are here

The Changing Concept of Change: The Derivative from Fermat to Weierstrass



History of the derivative concept from Fermat's techniques for finding maxima and minima in specific problems to Cauchy's and Weierstrass's limit definitions. Article originally published in Mathematics Magazine in September of 1983.

Identifier: 
http://www.maa.org/programs/maa-awards/writing-awards/the-changing-concept-of-change-the-derivative-from-fermat-to-weierstrass
Rating: 
Average: 3.1 (282 votes)
Creator(s): 
Judith V. Grabiner
Cataloger: 
Janet Beery
Publisher: 
MAA, Classroom Capsules and Notes
Rights: 
MAA, Mathematics Magazine and Classroom Capsules and Notes