Pappus of Alexandria: Book 4 of the Collection: Edited With Translation and Commentary by Heike Sefrin-Weis

by Heike Sefrin-Weis

Overview

Although not so well known today, Book 4 of Pappus’ Collection is one of the most important and influential mathematical texts from antiquity. The mathematical vignettes form a portrait of mathematics during the Hellenistic "Golden Age", illustrating central problems – for example, squaring the circle; doubling the cube; and trisecting an angle – varying solution strategies, and the different mathematical styles within ancient geometry.

This volume provides an English translation of Collection 4, in full, for the first time, including: a new edition of the Greek text, based on a fresh transcription from the main manuscript and offering an alternative to Hultsch’s standard edition, notes to facilitate understanding of the steps in the mathematical argument, a commentary highlighting aspects of the work that have so far been neglected, and supporting the reconstruction of a coherent plan and vision within the work, bibliographical references for further study.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781849960045
Publisher:	Springer London
Publication date:	06/09/2010
Series:	Sources and Studies in the History of Mathematics and Physical Sciences
Edition description:	2010
Pages:	328
Product dimensions:	6.50(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.10(d)

Table of Contents

Greek Text and Annotated Translation.- Greek Text.- Annotated Translation of Collectio IV.- Commentary.- Plane Geometry, Apollonian Style.- Plane Geometry, Apollonian Style.- Plane Geometry, Archaic Style.- Plane Geometry, Archimedean.- Motion Curves and Symptoma-Mathematics.- Meta-theoretical Passage.- Angle Trisection.- General Angle Division.- Quadratrix, Rectification Property.- Analysis for an Archimedean Neusis.