They didn't have good math either. Newton (and others) made up calculus, but not just that.
Even the abstract notation of polynomials and equations, by using letters to represent variables, was kind of new in Newton's time. This was due to Viete, in XVI century, and I would guess it was one of most important inventions for math and science ever.
Imagine how it was to study equations by saying "the double of the square of a quantity plus three times the same quantity is equal to 5"
kleft234 t1_j28feom wrote
Reply to comment by Obvious_Swimming3227 in Before Newton, how did people explain falling apples? by maugustus
They didn't have good math either. Newton (and others) made up calculus, but not just that.
Even the abstract notation of polynomials and equations, by using letters to represent variables, was kind of new in Newton's time. This was due to Viete, in XVI century, and I would guess it was one of most important inventions for math and science ever.
Imagine how it was to study equations by saying "the double of the square of a quantity plus three times the same quantity is equal to 5"