``Ancient'' and ``modern'' methods in the algebra of John Wallis: Remarks on the connection between them (Q2702313)

In the work of John Wallis, one of the most famous scientists of the 17th century, one may easily discern the two fundamental tendencies manifested in the science of that time: on one hand, recovery of the methods utilized by the ancient men-of-science for solving various problems and, on the other, the efforts made for finding new ways of approaching them (see the opposite pair of terms: \textit{Veteres} and \textit{Recentiores} and, in connection with them, that of \textit{tradition}, understood as ``storia sempre progressiva mai ciclica'').NEWLINENEWLINENEWLINEWallis's Algebra, published in 1685 in English (and translated into Latin quite soon, in 1693), is equally devoted to the history and presentation of the essence of this branch of mathematics, from ancient up to modern times.NEWLINENEWLINENEWLINEThe main stress is laid on \textit{equations}, on the methods known and applied for solving them, in an attempt of formulating the complete theory of equations.NEWLINENEWLINENEWLINEAlso, of special interest is the discussion on the relations manifested between arithmetics, algebra or between calculus and geometry.NEWLINENEWLINEFor the entire collection see [Zbl 0954.00008].