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T H E H I S T O R Y O FT H E H I S T O R Y O F
mathematics andthe laws of nature
developing the language of science
 John Tabak, Ph.D.
 
 MATHEMATICS AND THE LAWS OF NATURE: Developing the Languageof Science
Copyright © 2004 by John Tabak, Ph.D.Permissions appear after relevant quoted material. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form orby any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the pub-lisher. For information contact:Facts On File, Inc.132 West 31st StreetNew York NY 10001
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
 Tabak, John. Mathematics and the laws of nature: developing the language of science / John Tabak.p. cm. — (History of mathematics)Includes bibliographical references and index.ISBN 0-8160-4957-2 (acid-free paper)1. Mathematics—History. 2. Science—History. I. Title.QA21.T22 2004510'.9—dc222003016961Facts On File books are available at special discounts when purchased in bulk quanti-ties for businesses, associations, institutions, or sales promotions. Please call ourSpecial Sales Department in New York at (212) 967-8800 or (800) 322-8755. You can find Facts On File on the World Wide Web at http://www.factsonfile.com Text design by David Strelecky Cover design by Kelly ParrIllustrations by Patricia MeschinoPrinted in the United States of America MP FOF 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 This book is printed on acid-free paper.
 
C O N T E N T S
 AcknowledgmentsixIntroduction: Natural Lawsxi
1Nature as Geometry1
 The Ancient Sky2Recording the Stars to Predict the Future6 The Astronomical Calculations9
The Tablets12
2Mathematics and Science in Ancient Greece15
Ratios and the Measure of the Universe15 A Geometry of the Universe22
 A Rotating Earth2
 Archimedes: Fusing Physics with Mathematics28 The Law of the Lever32 Archimedes’
 Measurement of a Circle
34
The Siege of Syracuse34
3A Period of Transition40
Nicholas Oresme41Nicolaus Copernicus46 Johannes Kepler51
 Platonic Solids5
Leonardo da Vinci and the Equation of Continuity59
 Proving Leonardos Equation of Continuity64
4New Sciences66
Simon Stevin68
Stevin and Music72
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