Abstract
THE only difference we have been able to detect between this edition and its predecessor are that the last lines of pp. 34 to 38 of the first edition are the first lines of pp. 35 to 39 of tne second edition, with the corresponding changes of the other lines of the several pages, that a date has been omitted on p. 39, and fig. 2 on p. 41 slightly modified. With our copy we were favoured with a number of The Welshman (Sept. 29, 1876) containing a very long notice of it, supplied to the editor of the paper by an enthusiastic admirer of the work. An extract or two will sufficiently illustrate the article. “Don't let the reader run away with the idea that this is a prelude to any long, complicated calculations, understandable only by the initiated. As simple as truth itself, when ascertained, the solution of this problem is as easy and capable of absolute proof as any ordinary sum in addition and subtraction.” “This beautiful problem and mystery that has tempted, attracted, and defeated the skill of thousands of the most subtle and far-seeing minds for thousands of years is found, when looked at in the right way, to be as easy and as simple as the alphabet.” “It will not suffice for mathematicians to endeavour to show by any fallible and inadequate system of computation now in vogue that this result cannot be. The reader can judge for himself.”
The Secret of the Circle, its Area Ascertained.
By Alick Carrick. Second Edition. (H. Sotheran and Co., 1876.)
The Impossible Problem.
By James Alexander Smith. Printed for the Author's Use. (Shaw and Sons, 1876.)
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
The Secret of the Circle, its Area Ascertained The Impossible Problem . Nature 15, 155 (1876). https://doi.org/10.1038/015155a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/015155a0