Classical Arithmetic

In this lesson, we begin Classical Arithmetic, studying the ancient work of Nicomachus. To complete the objectives of this lesson, complete the following tasks: Study the lesson for mastery. Complete the lesson assessment. Lesson The ancients, who under the leadership of Pythagoras first made science systematic, defined philosophy as the love of wisdom. Indeed the name itself means this, and before Pythagoras all who had knowledge were called “wise” indiscriminately- a carpenter, for example, a cobbler, a helmsman, and in a word anyone who was versed in any art or handicraft. Pythagoras, however, restricting the title so as to apply … Continue

The following is taken from Thomas Taylor’s “Theoretic Arithmetic” (1818) Arithmetic is to be learned the first of the mathematical sciences, because it has the relation of a principle and mother to all the rest. For it is prior to all of them, not only because the fabricator of the universe employed this as the first paradigm of his distributed intellection, and constituted all things according to number. But the priority of Arithmetic is also evinced by this, that whenever that which is prior by nature is subverted, that which is posterior is at the same time subverted; but when … Continue