Single Idea 18080

[catalogued under 6. Mathematics / A. Nature of Mathematics / 5. The Infinite / k. Infinitesimals]

Full Idea

We have only to keep in mind that to find a tangent means to draw a line that connects two points of a curve at an infinitely small distance.

Gist of Idea

A tangent is a line connecting two points on a curve that are infinitely close together

Source

Gottfried Leibniz (works [1690]), quoted by Philip Kitcher - The Nature of Mathematical Knowledge 10.1

Book Reference

Kitcher,Philip: 'The Nature of Mathematical Knowledge' [OUP 1984], p.234


A Reaction

[The quote can be tracked through Kitcher's footnote]