'''Analysis''' means literally to break a complex problem down into smaller, more manageable "independent" parts for the purposes of examination; with the hope that solving these smaller parts will lead to a solution of the more complex problem as well. Although taken for granted as a method of advancing understanding today, this is a relatively recent and important invention of humankind, however it should be noted that roughly parallel concepts within mathematics and logic go back beyond [[Aristotle]]. It has been variously been ascribed to [[Descartes]] (from his "''[[Discourse]] on Method''", [[Galileo]] and [[Newton]] as a practical method of physical discovery, and was quite surprising to their contemporaries. See for example NEWTON AND THE METHOD OF ANALYSIS [http://etext.virginia.edu/cgi-local/DHI/dhi.cgi?id=dv3-48]. | '''Analysis''' means literally to break a complex problem down into smaller, more manageable "independent" parts for the purposes of examination; with the hope that solving these smaller parts will lead to a solution of the more complex problem as well. Although taken for granted as a method of advancing understanding today, this is a relatively recent and important invention of humankind, however it should be noted that roughly parallel concepts within mathematics and logic go back beyond [[Aristotle]]. It has been variously been ascribed to [[Descartes]] (from his "''[[Discourse]] on Method''", [[Galileo]] and [[Newton]] as a practical method of physical discovery, and was quite surprising to their contemporaries. See for example NEWTON AND THE METHOD OF ANALYSIS [http://etext.virginia.edu/cgi-local/DHI/dhi.cgi?id=dv3-48]. |