The Early Mathematics of Leonhard Euler, Volumen 1

"The Early Mathematics of Leonhard Euler describes Euler's early mathematical works: the 50 mathematical articles he wrote before he left St. Petersburg in 1741 to join the Academy of Frederick the Great in Berlin. These works contain some of Euler's greatest mathematics: the Konigsburg bridge problem, his solution to the Basel problem, his first proof of the Euler-Fermat theorem. It also presents important results that we seldom realize are due to Euler: that mixed partial derivatives are equal, our f(x) notation, and the integrating factor in differential equations. The book provides some of the way mathematics is actually done. For example, Euler found partial results towards the Euler-Fermat theorem well before he discovered a proof of the Fermat theorem itself, and the Euler-Fermat version came 30 years later, beyond the scope of this book. The book shows how results in diverse fields are related, how number theory relates to series, which, in turn relate to elliptic integrals and then to differential equations, There are dozens of such strands in this beautiful web of mathematics. At the same time, we see Euler grow in power and sophistication, from his first work on differential equations as an 18-year old student, a paper with a serious flaw in it, to the most celebrated mathematician and scientist of his times, when, at the age of 34, he was lured away like a superstar athlete might be traded today. The book is a portrait of the world's most exciting mathematics between 1725 and 1741, rich in technical detail. Woven with connections within Euler's work and with the work of other mathematicians in other times and places, laced with historical context."--Publisher's website.