Euler's invention of integral transforms (Q1065773): Difference between revisions

Euler invented integral transforms in the context of second order differential equations. He used them in a fragment of 1763 and in a chapter of his Institutiones calculi integralis published in 1769, where the treatment is more complete, systematic and general. The principal aim of the author of this paper is to counter the claims of H. Dulec and G. Eneström that earlier work of Euler also involves integral transforms. According to Dulec, the beginning may be traced back to a paper of 1738, but here, the author points out, Euler was concerned with the construction of a differential equation from a geometrically posed problem rather than the actual solution of a differential equation, and no integral transform is involved. The subsequent papers adduced in evidence by Dulec are carefully analysed. Finally, the contents of the fragment of 1763 and the Institutiones calculi integralis are described, demonstrating especially Euler's clear statement of the principle behind the use of the integral transform in the former and the further development of techniques for solving second order differential equations in the latter.