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Glite Dictionary
method of fluxions

method of fluxions

9.9
A way to study how quantities change by looking at very small changes
  • noun
  • /ˈmɛθəd əv ˈflʌkʃənz/
  • Archaic
translation icon : método de fluxiones
  • The method of fluxions revolutionized mathematics in the 17th century.

Examples

  • Newton introduced the method of fluxions as a means to analyze changing quantities.

  • Many textbooks once explained calculus using the method of fluxions.

  • In historical mathematics, the method of fluxions corresponds to modern differential calculus.

  • Many mathematicians studied the method of fluxions during their careers.

  • Isaac Newton is well known for developing the method of fluxions to address problems in calculus.

  • Mathematicians in the 17th century utilized the method of fluxions to analyze the rates of change in various functions.

  • The method of fluxions laid the foundation for modern calculus through the study of derivatives.

Synonyms

differential calculus
vsmethod of fluxions
  • Specialized
1 8.0

The part of mathematics that studies how things change and how fast, like speed or temperature change

is the older name for that same study
infinitesimal calculus
vsmethod of fluxions
  • Specialized
9.9

The part of math that studies how numbers or quantities change using limits, derivatives, and integrals

focuses on rates of change using derivatives not on integration

Surface Forms

method of fluxions singular
methods of fluxions plural

Morphology

method + of + fluxions

The phrase is a straightforward noun phrase combining 'method' (a systematic way) with 'fluxions' (things that flow or, in historical mathematics, rates of change), so its meaning is simply 'a method for dealing with fluxions'. Although 'fluxions' is an archaic, technical term, if a learner knows that constituent as 'rates of change' the overall sense (early differential calculus) is directly derivable, making the construction compositional.

Etymology

Method of fluxions comes from Isaac Newton's picture of quantities that 'flow' and their rates, called fluxions, like watching how fast water runs; so the phrase names an early way to study change, what we now call 'differential calculus'.