Who is credited with the discovery of calculus?

Isaac Newton is credited with the discovery of calculus primarily because of his foundational work in developing the concepts of differentiation and integration during the late 17th century. His work laid the groundwork for understanding how functions change, represented through the concept of limits, which is essential to calculus. Newton's approach was motivated by problems related to motion and change, and he used calculus to describe the dynamics of physical systems.

His publication, "Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy," published in 1687, included the early formulations of the fundamental theorem of calculus, connecting the positions of objects in motion to the area under a curve. This notable association between motion and area was a significant advancement in mathematics.

While others like Leibniz independently developed calculus around the same time with his notation and concepts of calculus, Newton's contributions were significant enough that he is often credited in educational contexts. Newton's influence is profound in both mathematics and physics, making his discovery of calculus a cornerstone of modern scientific inquiry.