Operations of the Geometric and Military Compass, 1606 (Dibner Library Publication, N0 1) [Paperback]

Galileo Galilei (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1978 | Series: Dibner Library Publication, N0 1

Operations Of The Geometric And Military Compass by Galileo Galilei

Product Details

• Paperback: 95 pages
• Publisher: Smithsonian Inst Pr (June 1978)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0874743834
• ISBN-13: 978-0874743838
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,199,145 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The law of similar triangles belaboured unto death., June 21, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Operations of the Geometric and Military Compass, 1606 (Dibner Library Publication, N0 1) (Paperback)

Galileo's geometric compass is neither the magnetic compass nor the familiar drawing instrument, though it is not entirely unrelated to the latter. Imagine a divider with scoring on its legs, such that by placing the feet of the divider some particular distance apart, and then using the scoring, one could find a measure, say, 1/3 of the distance of original distance. Imagine also reversing the process. &c. There you have it. At the time that Galileo devised this thing, few were adept at multiplication, let alone division, and the device was thus =extremely= useful. But those comfortable with high school algebra and geometry will find unremarkable mathematics. However, this book represents an important milestone in calculating technology

5.0 out of 5 stars Operations of the Geometric and Military Compass, 1606 (Dibner Library Publication, N0 1), December 8, 2011

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David F. Arrich (Northern California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Operations of the Geometric and Military Compass, 1606 (Dibner Library Publication, N0 1) (Paperback)

This is an excellent book on a very old and very accurate instrument. Gallelio was a genius as were many other ancients. These guys blazed the paths to our present level of intelligence. Worth every penny if you can find it.