If you are referring to Viete's use of different symbols for
variables and coefficients, this was the first idea that had occurred
to me. It allows for generalized solutions of equations.
Jim Kiernan
Brooklyn College
----------------------Original Message----------------------
From: William Tait <wtait@ix.netcom.com>
To: historia-matematica@chasque.apc.org
Date: Monday, May 10, 1999 7:47 PM
Subject: Re: [HM] the importance of notation
> Emmanuel Attard Cassar (10/5) wrote
>
>> Which were, in your opinion, the notations that have permitted the
>> greatest advances in mathematics?
>
> How about the development of the variable?
>
> From (if you will believe it} sunny Chicago,
>
> Bill Tait