JOURNAL ARTICLE

The Mathematical Complement of David Rittenhouse.

  • Published In: Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, 2024, v. 165, n. 3/4. P. 107 1 of 3

  • Database: America: History and Life with Full Text 2 of 3

  • Authored By: ALEXANDER, MARION W. 3 of 3

Abstract

The article focuses on the mathematical contributions of David Rittenhouse (1732–1796), highlighting his advanced work with continued fractions and the context of his mathematical community in late eighteenth-century America. It examines whether Rittenhouse's techniques were unique or part of a broader understanding among his contemporaries, revealing that evidence of similar mathematical activity in America during his lifetime is scarce. The article also discusses Rittenhouse's access to extensive mathematical resources, including libraries and correspondence with prominent figures like Thomas Jefferson, which likely influenced his work. Ultimately, it concludes that Rittenhouse's contributions were not fully recognized or built upon by his peers, leading to a significant gap in American mathematics following his death. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society. 2024/12, Vol. 165, Issue 3/4, p107
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:History
  • Publication Date:2024
  • ISSN:0003-049X
  • DOI:10.1353/pro.2024.a960773
  • Accession Number:185615655
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society is the property of University of Pennsylvania Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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