WANG Xiaofei (Institute for the History of Natural Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sphère) : The Teaching of Analysis at the Ecole Polytechnique, 1795-1809

When the Ecole Polytechnique was established in 1794, Joseph-Louis Lagrange was appointed as the professor of analysis. Joseph Fourier was appointed as an assistant for mathematical courses. Nevertheless, he played a significant role, instructing two courses on analysis to two classes comprising students from all three divisions of the school between 1795 and 1798. However, few studies have been conducted on these courses. This presentation, based on the manuscripts that document Fourier’s courses, will focus on his teaching of differential calculus. Furthermore, it will show how the methodology of the subject was practiced through the teaching of Lagrange, Fourier and their successors at the École Polytechnique towards the end of the eighteenth century. In this way, the talk will provide a case study that demonstrates the pedagogical concerns and motivations behind mathematical ideas.