Events from 1714

Leibniz's mature work on characteristica universalis and calculus ratiocinator, envisioning mechanical reasoning

Brook Taylor develops Taylor series expansion for expressing functions as infinite series

Brook Taylor develops systematic theory of finite differences for numerical approximation between data points

John Arbuthnot applies probability theory to birth rate statistics, arguing for divine design in equal male/female births

Peter the Great issues decree on primogeniture - reforms succession law, forces nobility into state service