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pentazoid
Dec29-08, 12:56 AM
At what age did Newton encounter and fell in loved with mathematics? I was really surprised when some sources said that he learned trigonometry during his college years and that he didn't really read Euclid's elements until after 1663.(http://www-groups.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/~history/Biographies/Newton.html) I would think a genius like Newton would have encountered and study mathematics early on in life,like mastering the most advanced math of his time by like 8 or 9 years old. Especially since he created the differential party of calculus a few years later. I am unable to check out a book on Newton's biography , so could someone in PF who possesses more knowledge than I enlighten me on when NEwton became greatly interested in mathematics?

pentazoid
Dec31-08, 04:21 PM
anyone not understand my question or does anybody not know at exactly what year was Newton introduced to mathematics?

arildno
Dec31-08, 05:39 PM
Well, I know he didn't like Euclid much, but in his mid/late teens, I believe his enthusiasm for maths was fired by mathematicians like Wallis.

arildno
Dec31-08, 05:41 PM
You might read the following wikipedia article on his early life.
Not all wikipedia articles are untrustworthy:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Newton's_early_life_and_achievements