The Shifting of Intellectual Domain: The Rise of Modern Mathematics

During the Dark Ages, mathematics in the Orient was destined to bloom while Europe remained backward in terms of intellectual aspects. The Renaissance Period embarks the revival of knowledge in Europe, ending the anarchy existed during the Dark Ages. In the third series of The Story of Maths, Marcus du Sautoy took us to another exciting adventure to the birthplace of modern mathematics – Europe.

The first leg of the trip has brought us to Arrezo, Italy. He introduced the mathematician and artist, Pierro dela Francesa. Here, he explained how art relied on mathematics in understanding the patterns and designs used to make his wonderful work – The Flagellation of Christ. The seventeenth century has led Europe to intellectual revolution and had over taken Middle East as the world’s powerhouse of mathematical ideas. Extensive studies have prompted the understanding of geometry of objects in time and space.

Among the ranks of mathematicians rose Rene Descartes, the genius man who is attributed for the creation of the Cartesian coordinate plane. His contribution to mathematics has provided a better understanding the dynamics of algebra and geometry. Pierre de Fermat is a genius. His theorems became the foundation of the codes for credit card transcations protection on the internet.

Isaac Newton is a “superstar” for his greatest contributions to physics and mathematics. He was able to elaborate the dynamics of the universe with the Newtonian Laws of Motion and became the tool for understanding the behavior of objects in engineering. His rival for the stardom is Gottfried Wilheim Leibiniz. They were waged into a disagreement on who first invented Calculus. Leonhard Euler has credited with bendy geometry, leading him to be coined as “The Father of Topology.” du Sautoy also mentions Karl Friedrich Gauss. Gauss was responsible on the invention of modular arithmetic, providing a way of understanding how prime numbers which formulated Bernhard Riemann’s theories on prime numbers. Riemann further expanded studies in the properties of objects which he found that something can exist in a multi–dimensional space.

The third series is the diversion of European mathematics from a period of isolation to its boom during the Renaissance. It had overtaken the Middle East in terms of advancements in mathematics. This episode is an eye–opener that nothing is permanent. The realization of a backward Europe eventually became a “late bloomer” in the Intellectual Revolution. We are all bound to change. Uncertainties in mathematics provides the spice that we are bound to gain new knowledge for.