Abstract
(1) PROF. WILSON'S “Descriptive Geometry” is “a treatise from a mathematical stand point.” The author believes that the subject has “suffered mutilation in the interests of short cuts to immediate practical uses,” and his aim has been to “refrain from any attempt to hold the student's interest by clothing a few principles with some immediate practical application.” From this point of view he has succeeded in producing a sound and excellent work. In the chapters on the point, line and plane, the theorems and principles on which the constructions are based are formally and clearly set out. The scope of the book embraces a general classification of lines and surfaces, including developable surfaces such as the cylinder, cone and convolute; warped surfaces like the hyperbolic paraboloid, conoid, and helicoid; and double curved surfaces, for example, the sphere, ellipsoid, &c. The projections, tangencies, intersections and developments of these surfaces are dealt with. As each new problem is stated, its general solution is first given with reference to the principles involved, and this is followed by a drawing showing the full construction for a particular case; this seems to be an admirable method, conducive to clear thinking and a thorough grasp of the subject.
(1) Descriptive Geometry.
A Treatise from a Mathematical Standpoint, together with a Collection of Exercises and Practical Applications. By Prof. V. T. Wilson., Pp. viii + 237. (New York: John Wiley and Sons; London: Chapman and Hall, Ltd., 1909.) Price 6s. 6d. net.
(2) Practical Arithmetic for Schools.
By W. G. Borchardt. Pp. viii + 445 + lxxvi. (London: Rivingtons, 1909.) Price 4s. 6d.
(3) The Calculus and its Applications.
A Practical Treatise for Beginners, especially Engineering Students. By R. G. Blaine. Pp. ix + 321. (London: Archibald Constable and Co., Ltd., 1909.) Price 4s. 6d. net.
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(1) Descriptive Geometry (2) Practical Arithmetic for Schools (3) The Calculus and its Applications. Nature 82, 425 (1910). https://doi.org/10.1038/082425a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/082425a0