Republic of the Philippines

LEYTE NORMAL UNIVERSITY

Tacloban City

Name: Lovely A. Booc

Student number: 1500253

REACTION PAPER: THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY

There are several remarkable improvements in Mathematics in the seventeenth century.

The scope of mathematics has significantly expanded as a result of developments in numerical
computation, symbolic algebra, analytic geometry, and differential and integral calculus. Rene
Descartes discovered the Cartesian Coordinate Plane which is still relevant to the concepts in
the present day and is of great use in Geometry, in fact, it allowed the orbits of the planets to
be plotted on a graph and laid the foundations for the later development of Calculus. Pierre de
Fermat’s numbers and theorem led to the development of analytic geometry. Modern
calculus was developed in 17th-century Europe by Isaac Newton and Gottfried Wilhelm
Leibniz who pioneered the use of the binary system which is of prime use today in encrypting
messages. Blaise Pascal’s triangle made the calculations for the Binomial Theorem easier and
faster. Isaac Newton’s Laws of Motion and Gravitation were one of the major developments in
the field of Mathematics which are still significant up to this day. Johannes Kepler’s Principle
of Planetary Motion is so significant that it became a piece of general knowledge. John Napier’s
invention of logarithms contributed to the advancement of science, astronomy, and
mathematics by making some difficult calculations relatively easy.

The thirst and hunger of brilliant minds to solve the world’s mysteries in this century
that led to the advanced discoveries and developments of concepts in Mathematics gave rise to
schools and teachers who inspired and motivated their students to explore and help humanity
in advancement. Their inventions and discoveries have greatly amassed our admiration and
inspiration to contribute to the knowledge of humanity that even in the present time, we have
several scientists and researchers who dedicated their time and potential to find solutions to our
problems and improve our way of life. It is imperative that these mathematicians and scientists
be deserving of a plaque of recognition.
 The invention of Modern Geometry, Analytic Geometry, and Calculus have greatly
contributed to our understanding of how things work in the field of engineering, architecture,
and other fields. The development of these concepts was made even more thorough by
implementing programs that focus on specific Mathematics in the modern era. The people who
are relying upon nature for their livelihood have understood nature better because it became
mechanical. Mathematics was so important to scientific progress in the 17th Century.