Simon Stevin Quotes

10 Sourced Quotes

Our intention in this Disme is to work all by whole numbers: for sewing that in any affairs, men reckon not of the thousandth part of a mite, grain, &c. as the like is also used of the principal Geometricians, and Astronomers, in computations of great consequence, as Ptolemy & Johannes Monta-regio have not described their Tables of Arches, Chords, or Sines, in extreme perfection (as possibly they might have done by Multinomial numbers,) because that imperfection (considering the scope and end of those Tables) is more convenient then such perfection.

Simon Stevin
The first Part. Of the Definitions of the Dismes. The first Definition. Disme is a kind of Arithmeticke, invented by the tenth progression, consisting in Characters of Cyphers; whereby a certain number is described, and by which also all accounts which happen in humane affairs, are dispatched by whole numbers, without fractions or broken numbers.

Simon Stevin
The use of the Disme...to teach such as doe not already know the use and practice of Numeration, and the four principles of common Arithmetic, in whole numbers, namely, Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, & Division, together with the Golden Rule, sufficient to instruct the most ignorant in the usual practice of this Art of Disme or Decimal Arithmetic.

Simon Stevin
If all this be not put in practice... it will be beneficial to our successors, if future men shall hereafter be of such nature as our predecessors, who were never negligent of so great advantage....they may all deliver them selves when they will, from so much and so great labor.

Simon Stevin
The sixt Definition. A Whole number is either a unitie, or a compounded multitude of unities.

Simon Stevin
[The books of Euclid pass on to us] something admirable and very necessary to see and to read, namely the order in the method of writing on mathematics in that aforementioned time of the wise age.

Simon Stevin
Multiplication of whole Numbers...Note, that for the more easie solution of this proposition, it were necessary to have in memory the multiplication of the 9 simple Characters among themselves, learning them by rote out of the Table here placed...

Simon Stevin
The second Definition. Number is that which expresseth the quantitie of each thing.

Simon Stevin
The seventh Definition. The Golden Rule, or Rule of three, is that by which to three tearmes given, the fourth proportionall tearme is found.

Simon Stevin
The Rule of Three, or Golden Rule of Arithmetical whole Numbers. Be the three terms given 2 3 4....To finde their fourth proporcional Term: that is to say, in such Reason to the third term 4, as the second term 3, is to the first term.... Multiply the second term 3, by the third term 4, & giveth the product 12: which dividing by the first term 2, giveth the Quotient 6: I say that 6 is the fourth proportional term required.

Simon Stevin