Cauchy's work on integral geometry, centers of curvature, and other applications of infinitesimals

DOI10.14321/REALANALEXCH.45.1.0127zbMATH Open1442.01010arXiv2003.00438OpenAlexW3019207048MaRDI QIDQ2188803FDOQ2188803

Mikhail G. Katz, Peter Heinig, Thomas McGaffey, Piotr Błaszczyk, Vladimir Kanovei, Jacques Bair

Publication date: 11 June 2020

Published in: Real Analysis Exchange (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: Like his colleagues de Prony, Petit, and Poisson at the Ecole Polytechnique, Cauchy used infinitesimals in the Leibniz-Euler tradition both in his research and teaching. Cauchy applied infinitesimals in an 1826 work in differential geometry where infinitesimals are used neither as variable quantities nor as sequences but rather as numbers. He also applied infinitesimals in an 1832 article on integral geometry, similarly as numbers. We explore these and other applications of Cauchy's infinitesimals as used in his textbooks and research articles. An attentive reading of Cauchy's work challenges received views on Cauchy's role in the history of analysis and geometry. We demonstrate the viability of Cauchy's infinitesimal techniques in fields as diverse as geometric probability, differential geometry, elasticity, Dirac delta functions, continuity and convergence. Keywords: Cauchy--Crofton formula; center of curvature; continuity; infinitesimals; integral geometry; limite; standard part; de Prony; Poisson

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/2003.00438

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zbMATH Keywords

continuityintegral geometryPoissoninfinitesimalsCauchy-Crofton formulade PronyPetit

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

History of mathematics in the 19th century (01A55) History of real functions (26-03)

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Cited In (3)

• Continuity between Cauchy and Bolzano: issues of antecedents and priority
• Equality and Near-Equality in a Nonstandard World
• Three case studies in current Leibniz scholarship

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