Solve This!

I, Isaac Newton, was born on Christmas Day 1642. I lived on a farm in Lincolnshire, England. At the time of my birth my mother was a widow. The early years of my life were difficult for my mother and me. When I was a young boy my mother remarried, leaving me behind with my grandmother. I was often left to myself, so I began roaming the nearby fields and marshes. I liked to sketch birds that flew overhead and observe water spiders skating across the water.

In the winter months I went to the village school, where I was a good student. I had to go live with one of my mother’s friends in order to attend King’s School in Grantham. At first I was saddened at the thought but when I found out that Mrs. Clark’s husband was an apothecary I became excited.

I was top scholar over every one in King’s School. While I was there I took classes in logic and grammar, ancient history, mathematics, and penmanship. I did not find these classes exciting so I spent time reading Mr. Clark’s astronomy, botany, chemistry, and anatomy books that I found in his attic. I began to get interested in the path of the sun. Mr. Clark let me chart the sun’s path on the south wall of his house with pegs. From these charts I sketched intricate plans for a sundial. I made a water clock at the Clarks because they were to expensive to buy in those days. Every morning they had to fill it up with water in order for it to run. I also made a small wheelchair with hand controls and a working model of the Gunnerby Road windmill.

By this time in my life I was very interested in mathematics. I went to Cambridge University when I was 19. In the year 1668 I built the first reflecting telescope. In 1669 I wrote a very important paper, “On Analysis of Equations with an Infinite Number of Terms.” After writing this paper I was considered as a brilliant mathematician and scientist. I am famous for my discovery that when a force pushes in one direction, an equal force pushes back in the opposite direction. I labeled this finding “action” and “reaction”. I also discovered the law of gravity, the same force that keeps the moon in orbit and makes an apple fall to the ground.

My life was a difficult one, with much of my time spent searching for information and proof of my findings. It often seemed to me that for everything I found there was someone else claiming to have discovered it first. Being a mathematician and scientist is often very difficult, but I’m glad I never lost my courage to continue studying.

Click Here to try a problem called Pens I.
Click Here to try Pens II, a more challenging problem.