Front Matter

Pages i-ix

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The Manuscript
1. Front Matter
  
  Pages 1-1
  
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2. Introduction
  
  P. J. Federico
  
  Pages 3-4
3. History of the Manuscript
  
  P. J. Federico
  
  Pages 5-7
4. Description of the Leibniz Copy
  
  P. J. Federico
  
  Pages 8-29
5. Date of the Original Descartes Manuscript
  
  P. J. Federico
  
  Pages 30-32
Solid Geometry: The Elements of Solids
1. Front Matter
  
  Pages 33-33
  
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2. Some Geometric Background
  
  P. J. Federico
  
  Pages 35-42
3. Translation and Commentary, Part I36
  
  P. J. Federico
  
  Pages 43-58
4. General Comments
  
  P. J. Federico
  
  Pages 59-64
5. Note on the Euler Papers of 1750 and 1751
  
  P. J. Federico
  
  Pages 65-71
6. Descartes and Euler
  
  P. J. Federico
  
  Pages 72-80
Number Theory: Polyhedral Numbers
1. Front Matter
  
  Pages 81-81
  
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2. The Figurate Numbers of the Greeks
  
  P. J. Federico
  
  Pages 83-91
3. Translation and Commentary, Part II
  
  P. J. Federico
  
  Pages 92-115
4. General Comments
  
  P. J. Federico
  
  Pages 116-120
Back Matter

Pages 121-145

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About this book

The present essay stems from a history of polyhedra from 1750 to 1866 written several years ago (as part of a more general work, not published). So many contradictory statements regarding a Descartes manuscript and Euler, by various mathematicians and historians of mathematics, were encountered that it was decided to write a separate study of the relevant part of the Descartes manuscript on polyhedra. The contemplated short paper grew in size, as only a detailed treatment could be of any value. After it was completed it became evident that the entire manuscript should be treated and the work grew some more. The result presented here is, I hope, a complete, accurate, and fair treatment of the entire manuscript. While some views and conclusions are expressed, this is only done with the facts before the reader, who may draw his or her own conclusions. I would like to express my appreciation to Professors H. S. M. Coxeter, Branko Griinbaum, Morris Kline, and Dr. Heinz-Jiirgen Hess for reading the manuscript and for their encouragement and suggestions. I am especially indebted to Dr. Hess, of the Leibniz-Archiv, for his assistance in connection with the manuscript. I have been greatly helped in preparing the translation ofthe manuscript by the collaboration of a Latin scholar, Mr. Alfredo DeBarbieri. The aid of librarians is indispensable, and I am indebted to a number of them, in this country and abroad, for locating material and supplying copies.

Keywords

Bibliographic Information

Book Title: Descartes on Polyhedra
Book Subtitle: A Study of the De Solidorum Elementis
Authors: P. J. Federico
Series Title: Sources in the History of Mathematics and Physical Sciences
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-5759-2
Publisher: Springer New York, NY
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive
Copyright Information: Springer-Verlag New York Inc. 1982
Hardcover ISBN: 978-0-387-90760-4Published: 01 December 1982
Softcover ISBN: 978-1-4612-5761-5Published: 12 October 2011
eBook ISBN: 978-1-4612-5759-2Published: 06 December 2012
Series ISSN: 0172-6315
Edition Number: 1
Number of Pages: IX, 145
Topics: Geometry

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Table of contents (12 chapters)

Front Matter

The Manuscript

Front Matter

Solid Geometry: The Elements of Solids

Front Matter

Number Theory: Polyhedral Numbers

Front Matter

Back Matter

About this book

Keywords

Bibliographic Information

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