Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

I always thought it related to continuous variables and the highly useful concept of the infinitesimal. But maybe that definition works as well.



I thought it was just yet another historical and linguistic oddity in English.


Calculus means "stone" in Latin. I suspect the relationship between stones and counting is why we use it so much (though I'm not an expert on how/why Romans used stones).




Consider applying for YC's W25 batch! Applications are open till Nov 12.

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: