Subject: Re: [HM] A question around zero
From: Karen Dee Michalowicz (KarenDM@aol.com)
Date: Tue Jan 25 2000 - 18:01:09 EST
In a message dated 01/25/2000 4:40:39 PM, Don Cook writes:
> In An Introduction to Algebra, being the first part of a COURSE OF
> MATHEMATICS adapted to the method of instruction in American Colleges,
> Fourth Edition, 1827, Jeremiah Day, D.D. LL.D, President of Yale College
> writes ...
I was delighted that someone else looks at old textbooks. They are such a
joy to me. I have a modest collection of l700 & 1800 school texts. And, I
have a few much older books, European, which I treasure.
I'm collecting "politically incorrect" problems from l9th century U.S.
arithmetics,among many other interesting ones. My favorite from the mid l9th
century goes something like this "A man earned 7/8 of one dollar for his
work. He spent 3/5 of it on liquor. How much does he have left?" Now, this
is my question: what is the problem asking for -- how much money or how much
liquor.
It is also interesting to see when coordinate graphing appears in U.S. texts.
One would assume that they would appear in algebra high school texts. Yes,
they do, but not until the 1910's in high school algebra books. Coordinate
graphing does appear in the middle l800's in college analytical geometry
texts. But, the coordinates are not at right angles.
Forgive me if I wax on.
Cheers!
Karen Dee Michalowicz
(who would love to be related to the infamous John Dee)
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