CALCULATORES
, were anciently accountants who reckoned their sums by calculi, or little stones, or counters.—In ancient canons too we find a sort of diviners or enchanters, censured under the denomination of calculatores.
CALCULUS denotes primarily a small stone, pebble, or counter, used by the ancients in making calculations or computations, taking of suffrages, playing at tables, and the like.
Calculus denotes now a certain way of performing mathematical investigations and resolutions. Thus, we say the Arithmetical or Numeral Calculus, the Algebraical Calculus, the Differential Calculus, the Exponential Calculus, the Fluxional Calculus, the Integral Calculus, the Literal or Symbolical Calculus, &c; for which, see each respective word.
Arithmetical or Numeral Calculus, is the method of performing arithmetical computations by numbers. See Arithmetic, and Number.
Algebraical, Literal, or Symbolical Calculus, is the method of performing algebraical calculations by letters or other symbols. See Algebra.
Differential Calculus, is the arithmetic of the indefinitely small differences of variable quantities; a mode of computation much used by foreign mathematicians, and introduced by Leibnitz, as similar to the | method of Fluxions of Newton. See Differential &c.
Exponential Calculus, is the applying the fluxional or differential methods to exponential quantities; such as ax, or xx, or ayx, &c. See Exponential.
Fluxional Calculus, is the method of fluxions, invented by Newton. See Fluxions.
Integral Calculus, or Summatorius, is a method of integrating, or summing up differential quantities; and is similar to the finding of fluents. See Integral and Fluent.
Calculus Literalis, or Literal Calculus, is the same with algebra, or specious arithmetic, so called from its using the letters of the alphabet; in contradistinction to numeral arithmetic, in which figures are used.
