#sethery

Calculus was one of the greatest mathematical discoveries of the seventeenth century, but who exactly invented it? Mrs. Gironda’s Calculus class continued the centuries-old debate whether the answer was the well-known Sir Isaac Newton or the lesser known Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz.

Each had their own claim to fame on the subject. Leibniz published his research in 1684 while Newton published his work in 1704 (twenty years later!). The controversy comes in because both had kept their work a secret for several years prior. Newton technically completed his work first in 1665 while Leibniz completed his in 1673. Newton was furious at being beaten to the punch on what he considered to be “his” invention. Then the “war” began. Newton was already well-known for his advancements in the scientific field, so he had “followers” at his disposal that he used to cripple Leibniz’s reputation with accusations of plagiarism, which were rapidly accepted through the educational community. This led to Leibniz dying poor and dishonored while Newton was given a state funeral.

Over time, Leibniz’s research has been authenticated within his many fields, but Newton’s “smear campaign” is still very real. The “war” still goes on to this day with mathematicians constantly going back and forth to determine the true “father of calculus” and the winner of the “Calculus War.” Our class was the latest example of that debate. We took several days to research and come up with a fierce rap battle between the two mathematical giants. I wrote the Leibniz section of the battle:

Teaching classes?

The best you can do is find planet masses

You can prove we go around the sun

But you couldn’t have a son?

I made a calculator

You’re an educator

I can’t see your reasoning

When you’re smiting me for citing your theories

Geometry is the better way to go

Better than anything from you, the bald crow

Go back to failing farming with your old hoe

When you find a wife, come back to flow

I did my research with but a dime

You did it with nearly infinite money and time

But calculus? It really was my invention

You’re the one who should be paying attention

Forget detention, the best you’ll get from me is suspension

The debate left our class divided, some siding with Newton, others with Leibniz. Who do you chose?

                                             Works Cited

Lienhard, John. "No. 1375: Newton vs. Leibniz." No. 1375: Newton vs.

           Leibniz. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2015.

Sethery - Vulturous Hectoric Aspect

From album: Kholera

Sethery - Mindblast Cholera