Abstract
EXPERIENCE in the teaching of young engineers at Grenoble has induced Prof. Pionchon to undertake the task of publishing some seventy little volumes present ing in a clear outline the fundamental notions, theoretical and practical, which should form the basis for further study The collection includes sections on mathematics, mechanics, physics, electricity, and economics, and the present volume is the fourth of the first section. It explains in an elementary way the nature of the different geometrical entities and the methods by which they are measured. There is no attempt to dip beneath the surface and introduce any of the philosophy of the subject, but some passages in smaller print give rather more advanced consider ations and analytical formulæ without proof.
If the book stood alone it could perhaps be passed without comment, but the prospect of seventy others of the same kind compels a word of criticism. It must be admitted that the contents appear to be per fectly sound, but beyond this we have little praise to bestow. Whatever it contains of value ought to be in the notebook of every engineering student who has ihad the minimum necessary instruction in mathe matics, and if It is not already there, the reading of this volume will only lead to that undesirable sort of knowledge which too often forms the main part of the mathematical equipment of engineers, and is un fortunately encouraged by some of their teachers. The -appearance of the pages suggests that they are de signed to compensate physical.as well as intellectual myopia, and this emphasises the inanity of many of the propositions. The author must be singularly ¦devoid of the sense of humour.
Grandeurs Géométriques.
By J. Pionchon. Pp. 128. (Paris: Gauthier-Villars, 1903.) Price 3.50 francs.
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H., R. Grandeurs Géométriques . Nature 69, 198 (1903). https://doi.org/10.1038/069198a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/069198a0