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Most mathematicians' knowledge of Euclid's lost work on Porisms comes from a very brief and general description by Pappus of Alexandria. While Fermat and others made earlier attempts to explain the Porisms, it is Robert Simson who is generally recognised as the first person to achieve a genuine insight into the true nature of the subject.
In this book, Ian Tweddle, a recognised authority on 18th century Scottish mathematics, presents for the first time a full and accessible translation of Simson's work. Based on Simson's early paper of 1723, the treatise, and various extracts from Simson's notebooks and correspondence, this book provides a fascinating insight into the work of an often-neglected figure. Supplemented by historical and mathematical notes and comments, this book is a valuable addition to the literature for anyone with an interest in mathematical history or geometry.
List of contents
Introduction.- Part I - Introductory Material: Summary. Preface. Definitions. Propositions 1-6. Pappus's Account of the Porisms. Notes on Part I.- Part II - Papus's Two General Propositions and Euclid's First Porism: Summary. Propositions 7-25. Notes on Part II.- Part III - Lemmas and Restorations: Summary. Propositions 26-79. Notes on Part III.- Part IV - Various Porisms: Fermat, Simson and Stewart. Summary. Propositions 80-93. Notes on Part IV.- Appendices: A Translation of Simson's 1723 Paper along with some Comments. 'That this goes to a given point'. Correspondence between Pappus's Lemmas and Simson's Propositions. Corrections to Simson's Text.- References.- Name Index.
Summary
Robert Simson is recognised as the first person to achieve an insight into the nature of the subject - Porisms. In this book, Ian Tweddle presents a translation of Simson's work. Supplemented by historical and mathematical notes and comments, this book is useful to those with an interest in mathematical history or geometry.
