The Monist, Vol. 1, 1890-1891 : $b A quarterly magazineVarious
Philosophy
The Monist, Vol. 1, 1890-1891 : $b A quarterly magazine
Various
Philosophy -- Periodicals
In the period following this the number of circle-squarers so increased
that we shall have to limit ourselves to those whom mathematicians
recognise. And particularly is Simon Van Eyck to be mentioned, who
towards the close of the sixteenth century published a quadrature which
was so approximate that the value of π derived from it was more exact
than that of Archimedes; and to disprove it the mathematician Peter
Metius was obliged to seek a still more accurate value than 3-1/7. The
erroneous quadrature of Van Eyck was thus the occasion of Metius's
discovery that the ratio 355 : 113, or 3-16/113, varied from the true
value of π by less than one one-millionth, eclipsing accordingly all
values hitherto obtained. Moreover, it is demonstrable by the theory of
continued fractions, that, admitting figures to four places only, no
two numbers more exactly represent the value of π than 355 and 113.
#Joseph Scaliger.#
In the same way the quadrature of the great philologist Joseph
Scaliger led to refutations. Like most circle-squarers who believe
in their discovery, Scaliger also was little versed in the elements
of geometry. He solved, however,—at least in his own opinion he
did,—the famous problem; and published in 1592 a book upon it, which
bore the pretentious title "Nova Cyclometria" and in which the name of
Archimedes was derided. The worthlessness of his supposed discovery was
demonstrated to him by the greatest mathematicians of his time; namely,
Vieta, Adrianus Romanus, and Clavius.
#Longomontanus, John Porta, and Gregory St. Vincent.#
Of the erring circle-squarers that flourished before the middle
of the seventeenth century three others deserve particular
mention—Longomontanus of Copenhagen, who rendered such great services
to astronomy, the Neapolitan John Porta, and Gregory of St. Vincent.
Longomontanus made π = 3-14185/100000, and was so convinced of the
correctness of his result that he thanked God fervently, in the preface
to his work "Inventio Quadraturae Circuli," that He had granted him in
his high old age the strength to conquer the celebrated difficulty.
John Porta followed the initiative of Hippocrates, and believed he had
solved the problem by the comparison of lunes. Gregory of St. Vincent
published a quadrature, the error of which was very hard to detect but
was finally discovered by Descartes.
#Peter Metius and Vieta.#
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account