Abstract
This paper is a discussion of Ptolemy's use of mathematical tables in the Almagest. By focusing on Ptolemy's mathematical practice and terminology, I argue that Ptolemy used tables as part of an organized group of units of text, which I call the table nexus. In the context of this deductive structure, tables function in the Almagest in much the same way as theorems in a canonical work, such as the Elements, both as means of presenting acquired knowledge and as tools for producing further knowledge.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 13-37 |
| Number of pages | 25 |
| Journal | Historia Mathematica |
| Volume | 41 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2014 Feb |
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Keywords
- Almagest
- Greek astronomy
- Greek mathematics
- Mathematical functions
- Mathematical tables
- Ptolemy
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- History
- Mathematics(all)
Cite this
Mathematical tables in Ptolemy's Almagest. / Sidoli, Nathan Camillo.
In: Historia Mathematica, Vol. 41, No. 1, 02.2014, p. 13-37.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Mathematical tables in Ptolemy's Almagest
AU - Sidoli, Nathan Camillo
PY - 2014/2
Y1 - 2014/2
N2 - This paper is a discussion of Ptolemy's use of mathematical tables in the Almagest. By focusing on Ptolemy's mathematical practice and terminology, I argue that Ptolemy used tables as part of an organized group of units of text, which I call the table nexus. In the context of this deductive structure, tables function in the Almagest in much the same way as theorems in a canonical work, such as the Elements, both as means of presenting acquired knowledge and as tools for producing further knowledge.
AB - This paper is a discussion of Ptolemy's use of mathematical tables in the Almagest. By focusing on Ptolemy's mathematical practice and terminology, I argue that Ptolemy used tables as part of an organized group of units of text, which I call the table nexus. In the context of this deductive structure, tables function in the Almagest in much the same way as theorems in a canonical work, such as the Elements, both as means of presenting acquired knowledge and as tools for producing further knowledge.
KW - Almagest
KW - Greek astronomy
KW - Greek mathematics
KW - Mathematical functions
KW - Mathematical tables
KW - Ptolemy
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84894271862&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.hm.2013.10.004
DO - 10.1016/j.hm.2013.10.004
M3 - Article
VL - 41
SP - 13
EP - 37
JO - Historia Mathematica
JF - Historia Mathematica
SN - 0315-0860
IS - 1
ER -