2012/06/30 by Mikhail G. Katz, David Tall · 1 citation
Mathematics · Physics and Astronomy · #math.HO #math-ph #math.CA #math.FA #math.MP #msc:26E35 #msc:01A85 #msc:03A05
paper · pdf · doi:10.1007/s10699-012-9289-4
24 pages, 2 figures; Foundations of Science, 2012
arxiv created 2012/09/05 · arxiv updated 2012/09/06
The Dirac delta function has solid roots in 19th century work in Fourier analysis and singular integrals by Cauchy and others, anticipating Dirac's discovery by over a century, and illuminating the nature of Cauchy's infinitesimals and his infinitesimal definition of delta.