Important results in the theory of PDEs regarding boundary-value problems are trace and extension theorems. Since the trace operator essentially acts by restriction to the boundary of the domain, I was wondering how it got the name "trace": who came up with this name, when and why?
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asked Oct 10, 2017 at 14:17
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2$\begingroup$ The trace operator restricts a function to the boundary of the domain, so one can say that it "traces the boundary of the function". $\endgroup$– Carlo BeenakkerCommented Oct 10, 2017 at 14:42
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$\begingroup$ Tracing being a primitive pre-computer method of image reproduction :-) $\endgroup$– J.J. GreenCommented Oct 10, 2017 at 14:49
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2$\begingroup$ Not sure the historical order of terminology, but for example in do Carmo's book on curves and surfaces, the trace of a parametrised curve is it's image. One "traces" the curve in space to get the image as one might trace a picture onto a new sheet of paper. Then @CarloBeenakker comment extends that notion to tracing a function along the boundary which is itself the trace in (do Carmo's sense) of the inclusion of the boundary into the domain. $\endgroup$– Paul BryanCommented Oct 11, 2017 at 0:06
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$\begingroup$ Now crossposted to History of Science and Mathematics, see hsm.stackexchange.com/q/6603/4703 $\endgroup$– Jules LamersCommented Oct 17, 2017 at 15:09
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