Isaac Barrow: Biography and Contributions

Isaac Barrow He was a mathematician, teacher and theologian born in England in 1630. Although less known than Isaac Newton, who was his disciple, Barrow's contributions to the field of mathematics were very important and laid the groundwork for further research.

In particular, his most important work for mathematics was the union of differential calculus and integral calculus. In fact, one of the laws that govern this type of calculation is called Barrow Law, named in honor of his pioneering work in the field of mathematics.

As a teacher he spent his career at the University of Cambridge, with a small interlude that he dedicated to travel forced by problems with university leaders in a period of religious confrontation in the country. In his last years he abandoned both teaching and scientific research.

He gave his chair to Newton and devoted himself to theology, his other passion. In fact, in his time he stood out as a writer of sermons. Man with a somewhat eccentric temperament, he died very young, leaving the memory among his contemporaries to have always had an irreproachable behavior.

Biography of Isaac Barrow

Isaac Barrow was born in London in October 1630. He spent the first years of study at Carterhouse, where he stood out more for his bad behavior than for being brilliant. His aggressiveness and provocative nature made his father despair, to the point of wishing God would shorten the child's existence.

In any case, this way of being did not prevent him from taking advantage of the teachings received. Before entering the University, he spent some time in Felstes, doing a preparation course.

He learned Greek, Hebrew, Latin and logic, and was ready to enter Trinity College, Cambridge. According to some biographers, he received the help of his uncle, who was part of the Governing Board of the center.

From there, he began to show his intelligence. He is described as a very applied student, who excelled especially in mathematics.

First jobs

With great academic results, Barrow graduated in 1648. He immediately began working in the same institution, doing research work and, shortly after, as a teacher. Thus, the mathematician established his permanent residence in Cambridge.

The first subject taught was the Greek language. However, political and religious problems affected his work. In 1655 the university authorities dismissed him, as he had refused to swear to the Commonwealth.

However, Barrow took advantage of that time when he had to leave Cambridge. For a few years he devoted himself to travel in Europe, visiting France, Italy and Constantinople, among other places. He lived numerous adventures, including an interesting encounter with pirates in the Mediterranean.

Return to England

Upon returning to England, Barrow is ordained. He also regained his position in Cambridge, this time as regius professor of Greek.

The next position he held was that of Professor of Geometry, in 1662. The following year he managed to be chosen as the first Lucasian professor in Cambridge, an achievement at the time.

Apart from his teaching work, he continued to research and publish works. The most important ones in the field of mathematics were Geometry and Optics. At the end of that decade, specifically in 1669, Barrow left the chair, replaced by Isaac Newton.

Last years

After leaving teaching, Barrow turned to theology. He published several works on this discipline and became a renowned sermon writer. His treatise called Supremacy of the Pope It is one of the most recognized examples of controversial treaties ever published.

He still had time to return to Cambridge. In 1672 he became part of the management of Trinity College. From that position, he was one of the founders of the library of the institution. Isaac Barrow died in London, on May 4, 1677, with only 47 years.

Contributions

Fundamental theorem of calculation

The best known theoretical work of Isaac Barrow was the creation of a methodology to calculate tangents. His method had an approach that approximated him to the forms of calculation. In this way, he was a pioneer in describing the derivation and integration processes as inverse operations.

Another of its merits was the construction of the so-called"characteristic triangle". In this, the hypotenuse is established as an infinitesimal curve arc. On the other hand, the legs are infinitesimal increments, with abscissas that differ and ordered at the ends of the arc.

Geometric lessons

It was in 1669 when the theorist published his masterpiece: Geometric lessons . That's where he developed his method to create tangents to curves.

It was Isaac Newton himself who wrote the preface. Some say that he contributed some of his ideas, but in general it is considered that he only made some contribution of his own in the field of optics.

In summary, in this paper Barrow established that to mark a line tangent to a curve, one must always take into account the relationship with the square of the other curve. This has been considered as a first version of the fundamental Theorem of calculation

In short, the mathematician was a pioneer in formulating a geometric version of the aforementioned fundamental theorem of the current calculation. As a tribute to his work, the second fundamental theorem of integral calculus (or Newton-Leibniz's rule), is called Barrow's rule.

Other works

Another outstanding work of Barrow was the simplified version of the work Elements of Euclid, which he published in 1655. In 1683 a compilation of several of his readings was published, under the name of Mathematical lessons , with a content in which relates metaphysics with mathematics.

He was also the author of an analysis of the work of Archimedes, as well as another analysis of Theodosius.

As noted above, he also had experience as a writer. In that aspect he gained much fame as an author of sermons and by some treaty of controversy centered on religion, the other passion of his life. As a curiosity, it can be noted that there is a lunar crater that bears his name in his honor.

References

1. Matesfacil. Isaac Barrow. Recovered from matesfacil.com
2. EcuRed. Isaac Barrow. Retrieved from ecured.cu
3. Ponce Campuzano, Juan Carlos. Isaac Barrow and his geometric version of the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. Retrieved from oei.es
4. J J O'Connor, E F Robertson. Isaac Barrow. Retrieved from groups.dcs.st-and.ac.uk
5. Charles Scribner's Sons. Barrow, Isaac. Retrieved from encyclopedia.com
6. National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. Isaac Barrow 1630-1677. Recovered from jstor.org
7. Ron Larson, Bruce Edwards. Isaac Barrow. Retrieved from larsoncalculus.com