The 1740 resolution of the Fermat-Descartes controversy (Q1121251)

The aim of this paper is to discuss a booklet written by Pietro Di Martino (Naples 1709-1746) on the difference between the hypotheses and results of Descartes and Fermat. For this purpose the authors divide their article into four sections. The authors summarize in section 1 the contents of the booklet, together with those of Physics hand book written by the same author, as well as Di Martino's Strategy. In section 2 the authors describe the most relevant arguments concerning optics discussed by Di Martino in his 1738 handbook. In section 3 the authors discuss Di Martino's resolution of the Fermat-Descartes controversy. In section 4 they draw their conclusions. The article is well written and helpful to those who are going to study the history of science or mathematics.