150

Jordanus de Nemore (fl. 13th century)

Algorithmus Demonstratus.

Nuremberg: Io. Petreium, 1534.
First edition, quarto, edited by Johann Schoener; title printed within architectural woodcut border; bound in later boards covered with printed waste leaf from a Latin hymnal; some marginal water stains, large margins; sold as a duplicate with deaccession stamp on verso of title; 8 x 6 in.

"The Algorithmus Demonstratus contains practical rules for the four fundamental processes, and Arabic numerals are generally (but not always) used. It is divided into ten books dealing with properties of numbers, primes, perfect numbers, polygonal numbers, ratios, powers, and the progressions. It would seem from it that Jordanus knew the general expression for the square of any algebraic multinomial. [...] It is probable that the Algorithmus was not generally known until it was printed in 1534, and it is doubtful how far the works of Jordanus exercised any considerable influence on the development of algebra." (Quoted from Walter William Rouse Ball's A Short Account of the History of Mathematics, London: Macmillan, 1908.)

  • Notes: Ex libris Professor, Astronomer, Historian & Bibliophile Owen Gingerich.
  • Condition: A-H4.

    Please contact us to request a condition report:
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