Newton and Leibniz

Newton and Leibniz

Author: BBC Radio 4 Extra September 28, 2010 Duration: 14:18

Marcus du Sautoy argues that mathematics is the driving force behind modern science: Newton, Leibniz and calculus. This ten-part history of mathematics reveals the personalities behind the calculations: the passions and rivalries of mathematicians struggling to get their ideas heard. Marcus du Sautoy shows how these masters of abstraction find a role in the real world and proves that mathematics is the driving force behind modern science. Today, the story of two late 17th century mathematicians who worked on the same problem at the same time - the calculus - in which the great hero of British science, Newton, reveals himself to be a little less gentlemanly than his German rival, Leibniz. The calculus is one of the greatest achievements of mankind: an astronaut and an investment analyst pay homage to its enormous power.

Producer: Anna Buckley


Tune in to A Brief History of Mathematics from BBC Radio 4 Extra, where Professor Marcus du Sautoy guides you through the compelling narrative of numbers and ideas. This isn't just a dry recounting of formulas; it's an exploration of the brilliant, often eccentric, minds who shaped our world through their calculations. Each episode delves into a pivotal moment, revealing how mathematical breakthroughs are deeply human stories of curiosity, rivalry, and revelation. You'll discover how abstract thought from centuries ago underpins the technology and science that define our modern existence, from computing to cosmology. The podcast makes the complex accessible, connecting the dots between ancient puzzles and contemporary questions. It’s a series for anyone intrigued by how we understand the universe's patterns, proving that mathematics is far more than a classroom subject-it's the essential language of progress itself. Listen for a thoughtful and engaging journey that illuminates the hidden architecture of everything.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 10

A Brief History of Mathematics
Podcast Episodes
Nicolas Bourbaki [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:36
This ten part history of mathematics from Newton to the present day, reveals the personalities behind the calculations: the passions and rivalries of mathematicians struggling to get their ideas heard. Professor Marcus d…
Hardy and Ramanujan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:18
This ten part history of mathematics from Newton to the present day, reveals the personalities behind the calculations: the passions and rivalries of mathematicians struggling to get their ideas heard. Professor Marcus d…
Henri Poincaré [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:08
This ten part history of mathematics from Newton to the present day, reveals the personalities behind the calculations: the passions and rivalries of mathematicians struggling to get their ideas heard. Professor Marcus d…
Georg Cantor [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:18
This ten part history of mathematics from Newton to the present day, reveals the personalities behind the calculations: the passions and rivalries of mathematicians struggling to get their ideas heard. Professor Marcus d…
The Mathematicians Who Helped Einstein [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:52
This ten part history of mathematics from Newton to the present day, reveals the personalities behind the calculations: the passions and rivalries of mathematicians struggling to get their ideas heard. Professor Marcus d…
Carl Friedrich Gauss [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:49
Marcus du Sautoy argues that mathematics is the driving force behind modern science: German mathematician, Carl Friedrich Gaus.This ten part history of mathematics from Newton to the present day, reveals the personalitie…
Evariste Galois [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:43
Marcus du Sautoy argues that mathematics is the driving force behind modern science: mathematics during the French Revolution. This ten part history of mathematics from Newton to the present day, reveals the personalitie…
Joseph Fourier [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:10
Marcus du Sautoy argues that mathematics is the driving force behind modern science: Joseph Fourier’s insightful maths.This ten part history of mathematics from Newton to the present day, reveals the personalities behind…
Leonhard Euler [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:32
Marcus du Sautoy argues that mathematics is the driving force behind modern science: Leonhard Euler and an 18th-century puzzle.This ten-part history of mathematics reveals the personalities behind the calculations: the p…