Maria Agnesi

Background

Born on May 16, 1718 in Milan, Maria Gaetana Agnesi was the eldest of her siblings in a large family and she had myriads of accomplishments by the time she was nine years when she spoke a variety of languages (Osen, 1974). Her linguistic ability was evident in Latin, French, Hebrew, and Greek among several others and within a few years of her teenage, she ventured into Mathematics. Her intellectuality was further sharpened when she indulged in forums pertaining to Mathematics and Philosophy. During her time as she grew up, women were not associated with attaining knowledge in institutions as men were but Maria countered these ideas with her intellectual efforts. She was an exception coming from a wealthy family with a father, Petro, who was pro-women emancipation in education. Petro viewed her daughter as child prodigy and ensured that her right to education was served. Both her parents wanted the best for her as an academician. However, she retreated from further mathematical analysis since her enthusiasm was not as much as when her father was alive.

Contributions to Mathematics

Maria Agnesi’s “Propositiones Philosophicae” graced the publishing industry in 1738. It featured a collection of complex essays on natural science and philosophy as was discussed in the different scientific forums of which she was part in her father’s house. Her father wanted to p exhibit his daughter’s expertise in science proudly and such discussions were provided good foundations. She was one of the scholars in the forums as she contributed to ideas that led her to publishing the complex essays, asserting the fact that women should posses the right to education. At the time of publication, Maria Agnesi was only 20 years, making desirable achievement. However, Mariah depicts a shy personality since she wanted to avoid the discussions encouraged by the father.

She later ventured into differential and integral calculus with Analytical Institutions (instituzioni analitiche). According to Osen (1974), Maria tutored her brothers through the textbook of Analytical Institutions, which she wrote. This was a remarkable effort, which added essence in the field of academics. The book, which was published ten years later in 1748, marked Maria’s genesis of contribution to Mathematics since it was used as a reference textbook by many academicians. She was the first woman to be a professor of mathematics at the University of Bologna where she taught concepts of mathematics. This was a rare opportunity to women in Italy since very few women had the chance for University attendance. Analytical Institution simplified and clarified some aspects in mathematics with Maria’s interpretations. She was globally acclaimed because of the textbook.

This first Calculus textbook has finite quantities that are properly analyzed in the first part of the book where Maria explores maxima, minima, tangents, inflection points and their basic problems. The second part of Analytical Institution delves into analysis of infinite qualities integral calculus is observed and Maria ends her elaboration in the last part as she attempts discuss differential equations and inverse method of tangents.

The “Witch of Agnesi” is a curve Maria indicated in the textbook, Analytic Institutions, where she derived its mathematical equation y = a*sqrt (a*x-x*x)/x. According to Grinstein et al (1987), she termed the x-axis to be equivalent to the horizontal axis while the y-axis is the vertical axis. Nowadays, the idea of x and y-axis is incorporated in mathematical solutions and curve has taken the form of the Cartesian formula, yx²=a² (a-y) or y = a³/(x² + a²). The English translation of the textbook initiated the idea of the name “Witch of Agnesi” since the versed curve was termed as versiera. The history behind versiera is its relation to the Italian word known as avvesiera that translates to the “wife of the devil” and the English translation mistakenly termed versiera as witch.

After her father died in 1752, Mariah stopped her work at the University of Bologna and other scientific endeavors and devoted her life to helping society materially. She extended her kindness in caring for vulnerably sick women, the poor and theology (Mazzotti, 2007). She based her principles on being compassionate caregiver since she was willing to give more than take. She died in January 9, 1799. She remains one of the greatest women scholars of all time in the minds of many with many institutions named after her.

Conclusion

Maria Gaetana Agnesi was indeed knowledgeable and intelligent in the field of Mathematics in relation to calculus. She was among the few who acted opposite to the stereotypic ideologies of the lowly esteemed role of women in the society as she advocated for the rights of women in her works. Her father believed in her intelligence, recognized it in the early stages of her life, and therefore encouraged to take part in scientific discussions. However, Maria was more reserved and shy despite her capabilities and she resigned from public life after her mother’s death. It does not seem that she had a passion to become a renowned mathematician since she also resigned from venturing into scientific and mathematical institutions after her father’s death. This prompts one to think that her goal was not to make grand contribution in mathematics. Otherwise, she still managed to create a mathematical reference used to date.

Work Cited

Osen, Lynn M. Women in Mathematics. Cambridge, 1974. Print.

Grinstein, Louise S, and Paul J. Campbell. Women of Mathematics: A Biobibliographic Sourcebook. New York: Greenwood Press, 1987. Print.

Mazzotti, Massimo. The World of Maria Gaetana Agnesi, Mathematician of God. Baltimore, Md: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2007. Print.