Discover the roots of trigonometry and logarithms in this historical treatise.
This edition presents plane and spherical trigonometry alongside the construction and application of logarithms, laying out foundational definitions, theorems, and methods for solving triangles.
In clear, student-friendly language, the work introduces key concepts such as the circle’s degrees, minutes, and seconds; chords and tangents; and the idea of a trigonometrical canon. It also explains how logarithms simplify calculations by turning multiplication into addition, and includes early approaches to hyperbolic logarithms and their use in determining powers and roots.
What you’ll encounter:
- Foundational definitions of plane trigonometry and basic circle data (degrees, arc measures, and common terms like chords, tangents, and secants).
- Early theorems linking sides, angles, and radii in right triangles, with practical methods for angle and side calculation.
- A practical introduction to logarithms, including the construction and properties of indices and the idea of a canonical table.
- Discussion of different forms of logarithms, including the hyperbolic variant, and methods to compute them.
Ideal for readers of historical mathematics, early geometry, and the development of trigonometric techniques. This edition is suited to students seeking a window into how early mathematicians presented and applied these essential tools.