Leibniz on Binary: The Invention of Computer ArithmeticThe first collection of Leibniz’s key writings on the binary system, newly translated, with many previously unpublished in any language. The polymath Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646–1716) is known for his independent invention of the calculus in 1675. Another major—although less studied—mathematical contribution by Leibniz is his invention of binary arithmetic, the representational basis for today’s digital computing. This book offers the first collection of Leibniz’s most important writings on the binary system, all newly translated by the authors with many previously unpublished in any language. Taken together, these thirty-two texts tell the story of binary as Leibniz conceived it, from his first youthful writings on the subject to the mature development and publication of the binary system. As befits a scholarly edition, Strickland and Lewis have not only returned to Leibniz’s original manuscripts in preparing their translations, but also provided full critical apparatus. In addition to extensive annotations, each text is accompanied by a detailed introductory “headnote” that explains the context and content. Additional mathematical commentaries offer readers deep dives into Leibniz’s mathematical thinking. The texts are prefaced by a lengthy and detailed introductory essay, in which Strickland and Lewis trace Leibniz’s development of binary, place it in its historical context, and chart its posthumous influence, most notably on shaping our own computer age. |
Contents
Notes on Algebra Arithmetic and Geometric Series October 1674 | 27 |
Geometric Progressions and Positional Notation before 1525 March 1679 | 41 |
Sedecimal Progression 1679 | 67 |
Binary Ancestral Calculations early 1680s ? | 75 |
17 | 95 |
Duke Rudolph August to Johann Urban Müller 515 January 1697 | 104 |
20 | 110 |
Periods May 1698first half of January 1701 | 117 |
Leibniz to Philippe Naudé 15 January 1701 | 123 |
Other editions - View all
Leibniz on Binary: The Invention of Computer Arithmetic Lloyd Strickland,Harry R. Lewis Limited preview - 2022 |
Leibniz on Binary: The Invention of Computer Arithmetic Lloyd Strickland,Harry R. Lewis No preview available - 2022 |
Common terms and phrases
Académie algebra algorithm antepenultimate arithmetic progressions base binary arithmetic binary calculus binary notation binary numbers Binary Progression binary representation binary system binary-creation analogy Bouvet calculation Caramuel carry Caze chapter 23 characters China circle cube decimal numbers deleted demonstrated digits dividend division divisors double geometric progression Draft duodecimal dyadic English translation essay example Explanation of Binary expressed in binary Fontenelle fractions Fuxi Grimaldi hexagrams idea integer invention Jesuit Joachim Bouvet Johann Bernoulli Latin Leibniz is referring Leibniz wrote Leibniz's letter lines machine manuscript mathematical mathematician method multiply namely Napier's natural numbers notes number system paper penultimate perfect period Pierre Dangicourt position positional notation published Pythagorean quaternary quotient remainder represent Reverend Father rightmost Science of Numbers sedecimal sequence sexagesimal signifies square subtraction Tetractys things transcriptions two's complement Urban Müller Weigel writings on binary written Yijing Zacher