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Translators’ Preface

In: The Geometrical Work of Girard Desargues

Author

Listed:
  • J. V. Field

    (Science Museum)

  • J. J. Gray

    (The Open University)

Abstract

Few historians have undertaken a detailed study of Desargues’ Rough Draft on Conics,although most histories of mathematics make at least a passing reference to the work. The reasons for this comparative neglect are not far to seek. The mathematical content of the Rough Draft on Conics is by no means elementary, and probably suffices to deter a majority of those whose primary training is not in science. On the other hand, mathematicians may well be discouraged by the language and style of Desargues’ work. For example, statements and proofs of theorems are rarely separated from one another. Moreover, since the work is highly original—and Desargues himself was conscious of its originality—it required a new vocabulary. Desargues chose to construct one that was radically new, and even proposed new names for entities which already had accepted names—such as the parabola, ellipse and hyperbola.

Suggested Citation

  • J. V. Field & J. J. Gray, 1987. "Translators’ Preface," Springer Books, in: The Geometrical Work of Girard Desargues, chapter 0, pages 60-68, Springer.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-1-4613-8692-6_5
    DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4613-8692-6_5
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