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Differential geometry
(826 words)

A key aspect of the renewal of mathematics in the 17th century was the combination of geometric themes with symbolic/calculatory techniques related to the infinitesimal, that is, the infinitely small (Analysis, mathematical; Infinitesimals). This enabled a new way of conducting geometry, the most appropriate term for which in the 17th century is infinitesimal geometry and which from the 18th century onwards - the century of the elaboration of differential calculus - developed further as differential geometry.

The main subjects of differential geometry in the 17th and…

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Epple, Moritz, “Differential geometry”, in: Encyclopedia of Early Modern History Online, Editors of the English edition: Graeme Dunphy, Andrew Gow. Original German Edition: Enzyklopädie der Neuzeit. Im Auftrag des Kulturwissenschaftlichen Instituts (Essen) und in Verbindung mit den Fachherausgebern herausgegeben von Friedrich Jaeger. Copyright © J.B. Metzlersche Verlagsbuchhandlung und Carl Ernst Poeschel Verlag GmbH 2005–2012. Consulted online on 19 March 2024 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/2352-0272_emho_SIM_018335>
First published online: 2015
First print edition: 20170626



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