William Oughtred: A Great Seventeenth-Century Teacher of Mathematics

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Cajori, Florian, 1859-1930

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Other Title:

William Oughtred: A Great 17th-Century Teacher of Mathematics

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"William Oughtred: A Great Seventeenth-Century Teacher of Mathematics" by Florian Cajori is a historical account written in the early 20th century. The work delves into the life and contributions of William Oughtred, a significant yet often overlooked figure in the history of mathematics, whose influence extended throughout the development of modern algebra and mathematical notation. It pays particular attention to his role as an educator, inventor of the slide rule, and author of important mathematical texts within the context of 17th-century England. The opening of the book introduces William Oughtred, outlining his educational background at Eton and Cambridge, and providing insights into his passion for mathematics, which he pursued as a dedicated amateur alongside his clerical duties. The text highlights Oughtred's early innovations, such as his work on sun-dials and his notable creation of algebraic symbols, including the cross for multiplication. It establishes Oughtred as a figure who not only advanced mathematical thought through his writings and teachings but also faced personal challenges and controversies, particularly related to his legacy in mathematical inventions. Overall, the beginning sets the stage for a detailed exploration of Oughtred's contributions to mathematics and education. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Credits:

Produced by Brenda Lewis, Stephen Hutcheson, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Canada Team at http://www.pgdpcanada.net

Notes:

Reading ease score: 60.0 (8th & 9th grade). Neither easy nor difficult to read.

Release date is 2014-09-09