In the late 19th century, Karl Weierstrass invented a fractal-like function that was decried as nothing less than a “deplorable evil.” In time, it would transform the foundations of mathematics.

Concepts covered in this course include: standard functions and their graphs, limits, continuity, tangents, derivatives, the definite integral, and the fundamental theorem of calculus. Formulas for ...

The original version of this story appeared in Quanta Magazine. Calculus is a powerful mathematical tool. But for hundreds of years after its invention in the 17th century, it stood on a shaky ...