Abstract
IN 1902 Prof. W. W. Beman, of the University of Michigan, pointed out (“L'Interm diaire des math maticiens,” T.9, Paris, p. 229, question 2424), that the colon (:) occurs as a designation of geometric ratio at the end of the trigonometric and logarithmic tables published, together with William Oughtred's “Trigonometria” of 1657. Beman inquires whether this symbol for geometric ratio has a still earlier date.
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CAJORI, F. The Colon as a Symbol for Ratio and Division. Nature 94, 477 (1914). https://doi.org/10.1038/094477a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/094477a0
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