Abstract
THIS is one more Text-book of Geometry. It adopts completely the general principles of the geometrical reformers in England, in the classification of the rems according to their subjects, the free use of super-posicion, the separation of problems from theorems, the art from the science, and the avowedly arithmetical treatment of proportion. It is distinguished from most that have preceded it by its greater length, especially in its treatment of ratios, by its somewhat wider range of illustration, and its comprehending the elements of solid geometry. But the book is disappointing. A well-trained and well-read mathematician, with plenty of experience in teaching, and we imagine plenty of leisure for writing, ought to turn out a better book. Ina text-book which does not profess to be original in its matter, the arrangement and manner are of the firat importance; and in both these respects the book in our judgment fails, and fails openly. The large number of miscellaneous propositions with which several of the books open give a red confusion to the whole volume. And it would be easy, it space permitted, to show that the arrangement is unnatural in some important points. Moreover, some of the demonstrations are very inelegant, such as Book I., pp. 11, 17, and Book II., pp. 12, 13; indeed the latter pir are more than inelegant.
The Elements of Plane and Solid Geometry.
By H. W. Walson (Longmans, Green, and Co.)
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The Elements of Plane and Solid Geometry . Nature 4, 365 (1871). https://doi.org/10.1038/004365a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/004365a0