Subject: Re: [HM] History of the Conics
From: Lambrou Michael (lambrou@itia.math.uch.gr)
Date: Mon Mar 06 2000 - 17:51:35 EST
>
> I'm wondering how Apollonius (or someone else?) first made the
> connection between the shapes -- parabola, ellipse, hyperbola --
> and the slicing of a cone to generate those shapes.
> Also, can anyone recommend an informative book on the subject?
> Thanks.
>
It is actually the other way round. First came the sections, then the
names and properties of the curves. For the origins see Heath, A History
of Greek Mathematics, 2 volumes, Dover editions. In particular look at
his discussion of Menaechmos (the discoverer) and what follows.
Also Coolidge, A History of Conic Sections (Dover) is scholarly. None of
the two are easy readings for beginners.
Michael Lambrou
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