Single Idea 18187

[catalogued under 6. Mathematics / A. Nature of Mathematics / 5. The Infinite / l. Limits]

Full Idea

Even the fundamental theorems about limits could not [at first] be proved because the reals themselves were not well understood.

Gist of Idea

Theorems about limits could only be proved once the real numbers were understood

Source

Penelope Maddy (Naturalism in Mathematics [1997], I.2)

Book Reference

Maddy,Penelope: 'Naturalism in Mathematics' [OUP 2000], p.27


A Reaction

This refers to the period of about 1850 (Weierstrass) to 1880 (Dedekind and Cantor).