Pi (often represented by the lower-case Greek letter π), one of the most well-known mathematical constants, is the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. For any circle, the distance around the edge is a little more than three times the distance across. Pi has interested people around the world for over 4,000 years. …
Tag Archives: Mathematics
How to Survey Land with 18th Century Tools — Using the Gunter’s Rule
Using the Gunter’s Rule So how was multiplication done in the 18th Century. Sure, you could and people did do long-hand multiplication just like you were taught in elementary school. For example, we can multiply 384×56. The number with more digits is usually selected as the multiplicand: The long multiplication algorithm starts with multiplying the …
Continue reading “How to Survey Land with 18th Century Tools — Using the Gunter’s Rule”
Vector Computations without the Benefit of Modern Trigonometry
Navigating from point to point is a relatively simple task for most surveyors or mariners. You establish a compass bearing from where you are to your intended location then measure out the distance (or in the case of sailing a speed and a time) to the new location giving what we call today a vector. …
Continue reading “Vector Computations without the Benefit of Modern Trigonometry”
Happy π Day
Pi (often represented by the lower-case Greek letter π), one of the most well-known mathematical constants, is the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. For any circle, the distance around the edge is a little more than three times the distance across. Pi has interested people around the world for over 4,000 years. …
Michael Carver -- Historical Interpreter/Reenactor 