A Treatise of Mathematical Instruments

A Treatise of Mathematical Instruments contains acomplete description of a range of tools that areuseful in mathematics, surveying, architecture,navigation, drafting, gunnery, physics, andillustration. It covers the sector (a form ofcalculator that predates the slide rule), the gunner'scalipers, the proportional compasses, and a variety oflesser instruments.Examples show how to use all of the instruments, withextensive details on architectural drawing, planegeoemtry, spherical trigonometry, unit conversion,surveying, perspective drawing, and ship's guns(cannons and mortars). 12 plates of figures illustrateand clarify the text.Anyone who has ever drafted a plan or drawing by handor recalls having used a slide rule will be interestedin this book. Those who has only used electronicdevices will learn something new. Additionally, awealth of historical details are revealed through theextensive figures and the text.Modern notes include a biography of the author JohnRobertson, an explanation of some of the notation usedin the book, and a brief commentary and history onmathematical methods, surveying, navigation, andarchitecture.