Isaac Newton

To be an effective teacher, I believe it is important to know the most influential people

that contributed to major events in the history of mathematics. Such as, Sir Isaac Newton, who

had theorized on the laws of gravity and motion, discovered calculus, determined the

composition of light and much more. It is important to help students acknowledge how these

changes made history as it is today, along with how math is valuable in everyday life.

In order to understand a part of the history of mathematics, through Isaac Newton’s eyes,

we must look at the time he lived in (1643-1727). In England, by the time of Isaac Newton’s late

adulthood, he had been through “the civil war, the beheading of the king, the plague” and more

unfortunate events (NOVA,2019). These circumstances have not stopped him on his pursuit to

answer his questions of time and motion. He had been influenced by many famous scientists

such as, Descartes theories on time and Galileo’s law of motion (NOVA, 2019). Through his

early works on discovering calculus he wanted ​“​to understand the effect of gravity which causes

falling objects to constantly accelerate (​Davidson, John, 2019​). He was able to connect his works

when he discovered the theory on the universal law of gravitation.

Newton's laws of motion

● “1st law: a body remains at rest or moves in a straight line of constant velocity as
long as no external forces acts on it
● 2nd law: a body acted on by a force will accelerate such that force equals mass times
acceleration (F=ma)

●
● 3rd law: for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction”(ZEBU, 2019).
 Isaac Newton is an important mathematician in history because he has helped the world

with learning a “new branch of math (calculus), invented a reflective telescope, discovered the

origin of color, and explained the laws of gravity”(ZEBU, 2019). Isaac was inspired by the work

of others, and built upon that knowledge. This example of deep thought, can inspire students that

they can also think beyond what others may have thought of. Today, calculus is very important

because it is ​used in all branches of math, “science, engineering, biology, chemistry, astronomy,

economics, statistics, and provides the foundation to physics and engineering” (Davidson, Jon,

2018). Thanks to math, we can help students understand the part it plays in careers/jobs, knowing

more about the world, and giving reasons on why certain things may happen.
 References

Documentaries, F., & N. (2019, February 02). Full Documentary - Secret Life of Isaac Newton -
Full Documentaries Films. Retrieved February 11, 2019, from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s2YZN2L700Q

Davidson, J. (n.d.). Retrieved February 02, 2019, from

https://www.sscc.edu/home/jdavidso/mathadvising/aboutcalculus.html

Towards a new world Model From Galileo to Newton: Physics Emerges. (n.d.). Retrieved
February 11, 2019, from ​http://zebu.uoregon.edu/disted/ph121/l3.html