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RefNoCLP/24/11/2
AltRefNoCLP/24/11 p1
LevelItem
TitleDiagram, The Parisian problem by Henry Oldenburg
DateDecember 1667/January 1668
DescriptionDiagram of the ‘French’ or ‘Parisian’ problem ('Problema transmissum Parisis') set by François Dulaurens. Shows drawings of circles with lines crossing into them, and angles within these, alonside mathematical calculations.

The problem, as understood by John Wallis, was as follows: 'given in number the circle CBD with radius CB, and the inscribed line BD protracted as far as may be desired beyond the circle, yet so that BY drawn parallel to CF may cut the circle in Y. To find the true value of the line BY, not an approximation (which may easily be obtained from a table of sines)'.

This is a copy of William Brouncker's solution in Henry Oldenburg's hand, intended for John Wallis.

Text accompanying image reads: 'Solutio a Nobilissimo Vice-Comite Brounker, ut sequitur.'

Subject: Mathematics
Extent1p
FormatDiagram
PhysicalDescriptionInk on paper
AccessStatusOpen
RelatedMaterialBrouncker's solution was sent to Robert Boyle on 28 January 1668, who showed it to Wallis, who in turn offered his proof that BY was rational in his letter to Oldenburg dated 8 February 1668 (EL/W1/39).
RelatedRecordEL/W1/39
CLP/24/11/1
CLP/24/11
CLP/24/11/3
CLP/24/11/4
Fellows associated with this archive
CodePersonNameDates
NA8001Oldenburg; Henry (c1619 - 1677); scientific correspondentc1619 - 1677
NA3503Brouncker; William (c1620 - 1684); 2nd Viscount Brouncker; mathematicianc1620 - 1684
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