Single Idea 13445

[catalogued under 6. Mathematics / A. Nature of Mathematics / 3. Nature of Numbers / g. Real numbers]

Full Idea

Descartes founded analytic geometry on the assumption that there is a one-one order-preserving correspondence between the points on a line and the real numbers.

Gist of Idea

Descartes showed a one-one order-preserving match between points on a line and the real numbers

Source

report of René Descartes (works [1643]) by William D. Hart - The Evolution of Logic 1

Book Reference

Hart,W.D.: 'The Evolution of Logic' [CUP 2010], p.18