Why is Raphson in “Newton-Raphson”?
I am trying to find out why Raphson’s name is attached to the Newton-Raphson method for finding solutions to nonlinear equations. I have in hand two suggestions: (a) Raphson translated Newton’s notes on the topic (Newton wrote in Latin) and published them in the English version of Newton’s “Universal Arithmetic,” and in this way became associated with the method. (This would be analogous to “Horner’s Rule”, “Taylor Series”, and “MacLaurin Series”, all of which can be found in Newton’s work.) (b) A couple of people have told me that they thought Raphson had extended Newton’s work to problems in more than one variable. (I have not been able to find any solid evidence to support this idea.) I would be grateful if anyone could supply evidence that would settle this question, or suggestions about alternative explanations. Stephen Nash George Mason University snash@gmuvax.gmu.edu —————————— From: Baker Kearfott
