Coordinate geometry is one of the most important and exciting ideas of mathematics. In particular it is central to the mathematics students meet at school. It provides a connection between algebra and geometry through graphs of lines and curves. This enables geometric problems to be solved algebraically and provides geometric insights into algebra.
The invention of calculus was an extremely important development in mathematics that enabled mathematicians and physicists to model the real world in ways that was previously impossible. It brought together nearly all of algebra and geometry using the coordinate plane. The invention of calculus depended on the development of coordinate geometry.
British general and playwright John Burgoyne surrenders 5,000 British and Hessian troops to American General Horatio Gates at Saratoga, New York, on this day in 1777.
