Single Idea 17781

[catalogued under 6. Mathematics / A. Nature of Mathematics / 4. Using Numbers / b. Quantity]

Full Idea

The abstract objects of modern mathematics, the real numbers, were invented by the mathematicians of the seventeenth century in order to simplify and to generalize the Greek science of quantity.

Gist of Idea

Real numbers were invented, as objects, to simplify and generalise 'quantity'

Source

John Mayberry (What Required for Foundation for Maths? [1994], p.407-2)

Book Reference

'Philosophy of Mathematics: anthology', ed/tr. Jacquette,Dale [Blackwell 2002], p.407


Related Idea

Idea 17782 Greek quantities were concrete, and ratio and proportion were their science [Mayberry]