Mathematical tables in Ptolemy's Almagest

Nathan Sidoli

doi:10.1016/j.hm.2013.10.004

Mathematical tables in Ptolemy's Almagest

Nathan Sidoli

School of International Liberal Studies

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

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	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hm.2013.10.004
Publication status	Published - 2014 Feb

Keywords

Almagest
Greek astronomy
Greek mathematics
Mathematical functions
Mathematical tables
Ptolemy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Mathematics(all)
History

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Mathematical tables in Ptolemy's Almagest

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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