First drawing of a Cartesian Graph?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the historical contributions of Isaac Newton and René Descartes to the development of Cartesian coordinates. It clarifies that Descartes, who lived from 1596 to 1650, is credited with the formalization of the Cartesian coordinate system, while Newton (1643-1727) may have utilized similar concepts in his work. The conversation highlights Newton's "Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica" as a significant text that engages with Cartesian philosophy, although it lacks explicit Cartesian graphing elements such as labeled axes. The participants emphasize the importance of understanding the historical context of these mathematical developments.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Cartesian coordinates and their significance in mathematics.
  • Familiarity with the works of Isaac Newton and René Descartes.
  • Knowledge of the historical context of 17th-century philosophy and mathematics.
  • Basic comprehension of polar coordinates as discussed in Newton's "Method of Fluxions."
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the historical timeline of Cartesian coordinates and their development.
  • Examine the contents and impact of Newton's "Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica."
  • Explore Descartes' "Principia Philosophiae" and its influence on modern philosophy.
  • Study the concept of polar coordinates in Newton's "Method of Fluxions" for a deeper understanding of coordinate systems.
USEFUL FOR

Historians, mathematicians, philosophy students, and anyone interested in the evolution of mathematical concepts and their historical significance.

Scott S
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OK, so a LONG time ago I believe I saw a small drawing by Newton which represented the first true drawing of a Cartesian graph with an x and y-axis and "O" at the origin.
Now (that I'm old and can't remember what I had for breakfast) I'd like to find it but can't remember where it was.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
 
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I thought Descartes came up with Cartesian coordinates after Newton was dead. If not, then he (Newton) was getting close. Since Descartes invented the system, it seems likely that HE was the first to use it. Of course Newton WAS a smart guy so he may have done something similar before Descartes formalized it. I suspect one of our math whizzes will have a better grasp of this history than I do.
 
At least it is possible since Descartes' (1596 - 1650) work caused Newton (1643 - 1727) to change the title of his Principia to Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematica.
There are several drawings in it which can be regarded as a coordinate system. However, I didn't found a scale or a label ##x##.

As the title of Newton's magnum opus, Philosophiæ Naturalis Principia Mathematica (Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy), suggests, he intended his work to be in dialogue with Descartes's Principia Philosophiae (Principles of Philosophy, 1644), a complex text that includes discussions of everything from the laws of nature to the nature of God's causal influence on the world. Just as Descartes had sought to replace Aristotelian or “Scholastic” methods and doctrines in natural philosophy, Newton sought his work to replace Descartes's. It is therefore more historically accurate and more illuminating to interpret Newton within the historical stream of natural philosophy.
Source: http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/Newton-philosophy/
 
fresh_42 said:
At least it is possible since Descartes' (1596 - 1650) ...
ACK ! Boy was I ever off on the dates for Descartes. Oh well, history is not my strong suit. o:)
 
Newton has been talking about polar coordinates in his Method of Fluxions..probably you mixed it up with cartesian graph
 

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