The first edition of this book, published in German, came into being as
the result of lectures which the authors held over a period of several
years since 1953 at the Universities of Helsinki and Zurich. The
Introduction, which follows, provides information on what moti- vated
our presentation of an absolute, coordinate- and dimension-free
infinitesimal calculus. Little previous knowledge is presumed of the
reader. It can be recom- mended to students familiar with the usual
structure, based on co- ordinates, of the elements of analytic geometry,
differential and integral calculus and of the theory of differential
equations. We are indebted to H. Keller, T. Klemola, T. Nieminen, Ph.
Tondeur and K. 1. Virtanen, who read our presentation in our first
manuscript, for important critical remarks. The present new English
edition deviates at several points from the first edition (d.
Introduction). Professor I. S. Louhivaara has from the beginning to the
end taken part in the production of the new edition and has advanced our
work by suggestions on both content and form. For his important support
we wish to express our hearty thanks. We are indebted also to W. Greub
and to H. Haahti for various valuable remarks. Our manuscript for this
new edition has been translated into English by Doctor P. Emig. We
express to him our gratitude for his careful interest and skillful
attention during this work.