SMRTR Science & EngineeringFeb 23, 2025Wired

The Saw-Toothed Function That Broke Calculus

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Karl Weierstrass revolutionized calculus in the 19th century by creating a continuous function that was differentiable nowhere, challenging long-held assumptions. His "monster" function forced mathematicians to redefine core concepts more rigorously, laying the foundation for modern analysis and finding applications in physics, economics, and decision-making.

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