Summa (mathematics)
Encyclopedia
The term summa is the Latin
word for sum. It is also used as the name for the ∫ symbol used to represent the integral
in calculus
. It was first used to represent the limiting sum (Riemann sum
) that inspired the integral by Leibniz on October 29, 1675.
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
word for sum. It is also used as the name for the ∫ symbol used to represent the integral
Integral
Integration is an important concept in mathematics and, together with its inverse, differentiation, is one of the two main operations in calculus...
in calculus
Calculus
Calculus is a branch of mathematics focused on limits, functions, derivatives, integrals, and infinite series. This subject constitutes a major part of modern mathematics education. It has two major branches, differential calculus and integral calculus, which are related by the fundamental theorem...
. It was first used to represent the limiting sum (Riemann sum
Riemann sum
In mathematics, a Riemann sum is a method for approximating the total area underneath a curve on a graph, otherwise known as an integral. It mayalso be used to define the integration operation. The method was named after German mathematician Bernhard Riemann....
) that inspired the integral by Leibniz on October 29, 1675.