Maria Gaetana Agnesi
Maria Gaetana Agnesi (May 16, 1718 - January 9, 1799) was an Italian mathematician and philosopher, recognized as one of the first women to make significant contributions to mathematical analysis. She is best known for her book Instituzioni analitiche ad uso della gioventù italiana (Analytical institutions for use by Italian youth), a clear and systematic treatise on algebra, analytic geometry, and differential and integral calculus, widely used across Europe in the 18th century. She is also associated with the mathematical curve known as the Witch of Agnesi, studied in the context of rational functions. Her work played a decisive role in the dissemination and teaching of calculus in modern mathematics.
Quotes
- An equation is a relationship of equality that two or more quantities, whether numerical, geometric, or physical, have when compared to each other, or that they have with zero when compared to it.
- A problem is a proposition that asks to do or know certain things based on other known things and certain conditions, which are called the data of the problem; as those sought, questions or queries are referred to.