Questions tagged [mathematics]
For questions specific to the history of mathematics, the abstract study of topics encompassing quantity, structure, space, change, and other properties. General questions about mathematics are off-topic but might be asked on Mathematics Stack Exchange.
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How did students study Euclid in 17th century France? [closed]
I recently acquired a first edition of Claude Dechales' Éléments de géométrie (1690), a didactic and reader-friendly adaptation of Euclid’s Elements composed for students of hydrography and nautics at ...
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What is the origin of counting? [closed]
In A History of Mathematics by Boyer and Merzbach, it is noted in the first Chapter that
It is usually assumed that the subject arose in answer to practical needs, but anthropological studies suggest ...
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What are these 16-Century Italian monetary symbols?
I am trying to read a part of Tartaglia's General Trattato Di Numeri, Et Misure. I have problems with what appear to be shorthand symbols for monetary or weight values. I will be grateful if someone ...
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Who was Dionysodorus of Melos?
I am trying to find information about Dionysodorus of Melos. Although he is mentioned by ancient writers, Wikipedia seems to ignore his existence, because it mentions three men by the name ...
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What is a quarter in 19th-century England converted to contemporary pints?
Note: I do have an analogous post up on the mathematics stack exchange here
Copy-Pasted from there: "I've been going through and writing up solutions for Euler's Elements of Algebra Practice ...
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Today, do we celebrate anniversaries of events that happened in time of Julian calendar, on Julian date or at corresponding Gregorian date?
Today do we celebrate anniversaries of events that happened in time of Julian calendar, on the Julian date or at the corresponding Gregorian date?
Do historians write the dates of scientific works in ...
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Exactly what year did Newton first write about calculus, 1664, 1665 or 1666? [closed]
Exactly what year did Newton first write about calculus?
I find from different sources three years; 1664 citation needed
, 1665 and 1666, but which year is correct?
1665 source
1666 source
1665 source
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Who was the first person to get a more accurate measure of the earth's circumference than Eratosthenes?
When researching a paper on Eratosthenes for class I saw that one of his major accomplishments was the first more or less accurate measure of the earth's circumference,only between −2.4% and +0.8% off....
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Are there any confirmed accounts of ancient Greek or Roman mathematicians owning slaves?
I've stumbled upon this (admittedly, pretty old) question on Math.SE. It was proposed there that that question might have been more appropriate for this forum, but I don't believe anybody followed up ...
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Was Pythagoras against traditional/contemporary Greek education?
There were, however, among the wise men some who despised the knowledge of the orators, lexicographers and schoolmasters, and cavilled at those who devoted themselves to these professions. To these ...
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What did the study plan of a early 20th century mathematics major look like?
I am interested in what subjects and activities mathematics major were involved in the beggining of the 20th century. Most subjects mathematics majors study at an intermedium and advanced level now ...
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What was Vittoria Conti's date of birth and date of death?
What is the exact date of birth and exact date of death of Vittoria Conti?
She was the first wife of Joseph-Louis Lagrange, a famous Italian-French mathematician.
So far I have these vague dates:
...
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Who placed first on entrance exam 1805 at École Polytechnique?
Wikipedia:Cauchy and Biography of Cauchy say that in 1805 Augustin Cauchy placed second of 293 applicants on the entrance exam at École Polytechnique. Who placed first?
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In allegorical depictions of geometry, why show the earth as encircled by a snake?
Various early modern allegorical paintings or engravings show a personification of geometry with a globe of the earth with a snake, and sometimes with a frog. Here are some examples:
(Only a detail of ...
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What year did Isaac Newton die? [closed]
What is the year of death of Isaac Newton? Different sources provide info that it's either 1726 or 1727.
On his tomb is written 1726, findagrave.com has it listed as 1727, Wikipedia even states:
&...
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