A Short Account of the Principal Geometrical Methods of Approximating to the Value of π For the Use of Colleges and Schools Elements of Geometry Based on Euclid Book I For Elementary and Middle Class Schools Takimetry Concrete Geometry in Three Lessons Accessible, Inaccessible, Incalculable Translated

Abstract

THE little pamphlet first named does not attack the problem from the circle-squarer's point of view—the use of the word “approximating” sufficiently points this out—but gives an interesting account of what was done for the question between the times of Archimedes and Huyghens. A few elementary propositions lead up to what was attempted by Willebrord Snell (“Cyclometricus,”1621) and elegantly effected by Huyghens. Mr. Pirie's object is to correct what he deems a defect in our present works on Trigonometry, and to supply a few simple propositions “on the threshold of the subject.” We can recommend the book as one suitable for being put into the hands of sixth form pupils. A few references are supplied to fuller sources of information upon the quadrature of the circle.

A Short Account of the Principal Geometrical Methods of Approximating to the Value of π. For the Use of Colleges and Schools.

By the Rev. G. Pirie (Macmillan, 1877.)

Elements of Geometry Based on Euclid. Book I. For Elementary and Middle Class Schools.

By E. Atkins, B.Sc. Collins's School Series. (Glasgow: Collins, 1877.)

Takimetry. Concrete Geometry in Three Lessons. Accessible, Inaccessible, Incalculable. Translated

by D.W. Gwynne, from the French of E. Lagout. (Glasgow: Collins, 1877.)