De la Torre Gómez, AndrésSuescún Arteaga, Carlos MarioAlarcón Vasco, Sergio Alberto2012-04-272012-04-2720051794-4449http://hdl.handle.net/10567/204Introduction: In the XVII Century, Fermat d/eveloped the first general method to determine the minimums and maximums, in the memory Methodus ad disquirendam maximan et miniman et de tangentibus linearum curvarum, being a purely algorithmic procedure with no demonstrative foundation at all, and in which Fermat introduces the adequality technique, previously used by Diofantus in the Alexandria School. The vague and laconic way in which Fermat showed the Methodus has generated some interpretations under infinitesimal calculus terms, and one of them says that in the Methodus sub lies the calculation of a derivation that equals zero. Objective: To make a detailed study of the way Fermat explains his maximums and minimums method in the Methodus and discusses the anachronism interpretations given by some experts about his method. Methods: Based on the texts mentioned in the bibliography we make a historical scrutiny with the main objective of studying and analyzing the method showed by Fermat. Results: The detailed study is made, the method is applied to obtain a minimum in the problem of the segment division and the interpretations given by some experts are analyzed under the current standards. These interpretations must be seen carefully, because they force the method showed by Fermat.esCálculo InfinetisimalAdigualdadPierre de FermatCorporación Universitaria LasallistaMétodo de máximos y mínimosArticle