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[C]onsider the steps by which the antients were able... from the mensuration of right-lined figures, to judge of such as were bounded by curve lines; for as they did not allow themselves to resolve curvilineal figures into rectilineal elements, it is worth examin[ing] by what art they could make a transition from the one to the other: and as they... finish their demonstrations in the most perfect manner... by following their example... in demonstrating a method so much more general than their's, we may best guard against exceptions and cavils, and vary less from the old foundations of geometry.
— COLIN MACLAURIN