The Works of John Playfair ...: With a Memoir of the Author ...A. Constable & Company, 1822 |
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Page 21
... mathematicians , even when they availed themselves of the utmost resources of the integral calculus . Sir Isaac Newton , though he assumed the disturbing force very near the truth , computed the motion of the apsides from thence only at ...
... mathematicians , even when they availed themselves of the utmost resources of the integral calculus . Sir Isaac Newton , though he assumed the disturbing force very near the truth , computed the motion of the apsides from thence only at ...
Page 23
... mathematician , will serve as a proof that it is not equal to such difficult researches ; and that in those cases , especially , where approxi- mation is to be used , it is necessary to sacrifice the rigour of the ancient demonstration ...
... mathematician , will serve as a proof that it is not equal to such difficult researches ; and that in those cases , especially , where approxi- mation is to be used , it is necessary to sacrifice the rigour of the ancient demonstration ...
Page 24
... Mathematicians , and to evince the esteem which Dr Simson enter- tained for the abilities of his pupil . In the preface to his Conic Sections , in which he acknowledges , that all the theorems , distinguished by the letter x , were ...
... Mathematicians , and to evince the esteem which Dr Simson enter- tained for the abilities of his pupil . In the preface to his Conic Sections , in which he acknowledges , that all the theorems , distinguished by the letter x , were ...
Page 28
... mathematicians read least of the writings of one another . His own investigations occupied him sufficiently ; and , in- deed , the world would have had reason to regret the misapplication of his talents , had he employed , in the mere ...
... mathematicians read least of the writings of one another . His own investigations occupied him sufficiently ; and , in- deed , the world would have had reason to regret the misapplication of his talents , had he employed , in the mere ...
Page 29
... mathematicians , and were equally versed in their methods of investigation ; and they were both apprehensive that the beauty of their favourite science would be forgotten for the less elegant methods of algebraic computation . * This ...
... mathematicians , and were equally versed in their methods of investigation ; and they were both apprehensive that the beauty of their favourite science would be forgotten for the less elegant methods of algebraic computation . * This ...
Common terms and phrases
accuracy accurate afford ancient angles appear arch ascertained astronomical Board of Longitude bodies calculation cause circumstances computation considerable considered deduced degree Delambre determined discoveries distance Dr Black Dr Hutton Dr Simson Dr Stewart Dunkirk earth Edinburgh effect employed England equal equator error experiments extremely fathoms force France French geometer geometry give given gravity heat inequalities instrument investigation irregularities Jupiter known Laplace latitude length less longitude mathematical mathematicians matter means measured ment mentioned meridian method mixed mathematics moon moon's motion mountain Mudge nature nearly never Newton object observations orbit pendulum perpendicular philosophers planets Porisms principle probably problem produced Punnae quantity remark repeating circle revolution Robison Royal schistus seems side spherical excess stations supposed surface theodolite theorem theory thing tion toises trigono trigonometrical survey truth University of Edinburgh vibrations whole zenith
Popular passages
Page 81 - The mind seemed to grow giddy by looking so far into the abyss of time ; and while we listened with, earnestness and admiration to the philosopher who was now unfolding to us the order and series of these wonderful events, we became sensible how much farther reason may sometimes go than imagination can venture to follow.
Page 335 - ... the three angles of a triangle are together equal to two right angles, although it is not known to all.
Page 309 - ... that the mean longitude of the first satellite, minus three times that of the second, plus twice that of the third, is always equal to two right angles.
Page 125 - The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power, And all that beauty, all that wealth e'er gave, Await alike the inevitable hour — The paths of glory lead but to the grave.
Page 325 - In one of these, where the dictates of Aristotle are still listened to as infallible decrees, and where the infancy of science is mistaken for its maturity, the mathematical sciences have never flourished ; and the scholar has no means of advancing beyond the mere elements of geometry.
Page 522 - An account of experiments for determining the length of the pendulum vibrating seconds in the latitude of London.
Page 55 - It is unreasonable, indeed, to suppose that such marks should any where exist. The Author of nature has not given laws to the universe, which, like the institutions of men, carry in themselves the elements of their own destruction ; he has not permitted in his works any symptom of infancy or of old age, or any sign by which we may estimate either their future or their past duration.
Page 56 - The Author of nature has not given laws to the universe, which, like the institutions of men, carry in themselves the elements of their own destruction. He has not permitted, in his works, any symptom of infancy or of old age, or any sign by which we may estimate either their future or their past duration. He may put an end, as he no doubt gave a beginning, to the present system, at some determinate period; but we may safely conclude, that this great catastrophe will not be brought about by any of...
Page 301 - Between the laws by which the tides diminish from their maximum at the full and change, to their minimum at the first and third quarters, and by which they increase again from the minimum to the maximum, as deduced from the observations at Brest, and as determined by the theory of gravitation, there is an exact coincidence. 2. According to theory, the height of the tides...
Page 439 - ... most general rule that we are enabled to give admits of many exceptions. The violation of the order of events among the phenomena of the former class, the suspension of gravity, for example, the deviation of any of the stars from their places or their courses in the heavens, &c., — these are facts of which the improbability is so strong that no testimony can prevail against it.