Historical Mathematical Study About Vector Calculus Introduction in Brazil: First Notes

Abstract

Mathematical History, mainly the History of Mathematics in Brazil has substantiated the proposition addressed in the present study, namely: conducting a historical-mathematical investigation about Vector Calculus introduction in Brazil. A brief historical contextualization about Vector Calculus emergence and development, as well as about the important features of it and their contributions to the formalization and adoption of the globally valid system is herein performed. This subject was firstly introduced in Brazil by Professor Theodoro Augusto Ramos (1895-1935) as a discipline in the Engineering courses at Polytechnic School of Sao Paulo, back in 1926. This theme opened room for two publications, one of them was written in Portuguese (1927) and the second one was written in French (1930) and published by a renown French publisher at the time. Back in the 1920s and 30s, this theme was a novelty in Brazil; however, other publications about the same subject have emerged around the country − this finding evidenced Brazilian researchers’ interest in it. Therefore, the aim of the present research is to contribute to fulfill the remaining gaps in the history of mathematics in Brazil.