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VIETA, Franciscus (1540-1603). Canon mathematicus, seu ad triangula. -Canonion Triangulorum Laterum Rationalium. -Universalium inspectionum ad canonem mathematicum. Liber singularis. Paris: Jean Mettayer, 1579.
3 parts in one volume, large 2o (391 x 272 mm). Partly printed in red and black (including title). 5 double-page tables, numerous woodcut diagrams in text. (Some minor dampstains, mostly marginal, occasional light browning, final table in third part stained and with chip at upper gutter affecting a few letters.) 17th-century French calf gilt (minor wear to spine ends and corners), quarter morocco folding case.
VERY GOOD COPY OF THE RARE FIRST EDITION of a fundamental work on trigonometry. It treats the rule for remembering collections of formulas, now known as "Napier's rule," and the reform of decimal fractions. The Canon mathematicus was Vieta's first published mathematical work. In it he "introduced the principle of solution of equations by reduction and used this in the solution of biquadratics ... His main contribution to algebra was the introduction of alphabetic letters to denote general and indefinite quantities, and the + and - signs, formerly but rarely used by merchants. He expressed as an infinite product" (Dibner). Vieta had originally intended to add two more parts devoted to astronomy, but they were never published. Adams V-717 (Canon mathematicus) and V-724 (Universalium); BM/STC French p. 439; Dibner Heralds of Science 105; Norman 2151.
3 parts in one volume, large 2
VERY GOOD COPY OF THE RARE FIRST EDITION of a fundamental work on trigonometry. It treats the rule for remembering collections of formulas, now known as "Napier's rule," and the reform of decimal fractions. The Canon mathematicus was Vieta's first published mathematical work. In it he "introduced the principle of solution of equations by reduction and used this in the solution of biquadratics ... His main contribution to algebra was the introduction of alphabetic letters to denote general and indefinite quantities, and the + and - signs, formerly but rarely used by merchants. He expressed as an infinite product" (Dibner). Vieta had originally intended to add two more parts devoted to astronomy, but they were never published. Adams V-717 (Canon mathematicus) and V-724 (Universalium); BM/STC French p. 439; Dibner Heralds of Science 105; Norman 2151.