John Napier
John Napier, France Napier, born in Merchiston, near Edinburgh , in 1550 and died on 4 April 1617 at Merchiston Castle, is a theologian , physicist , astronomer and mathematician Scottish.
Eldest son of Archibald Napier and Janet Bothwell, he was born into a wealthy family, himself Baron of Merchiston. He is known for his defense of Protestantism. It brings the king warned Jacques VI of Scotland against the aims of Catholic King Philip II of Spain.
Summary |
The mathematics were not their main activity but there was no lack of ideas to simplify the calculations. It establishes some forms of spherical trigonometry , popularized the use of point to the English notation of decimal numbers but mostly invented logarithms.
His goal was to simplify trigonometric calculations necessary astronomy. He went on to define the logarithm of a sine based on mechanical considerations of moving points and the link between arithmetic and geometric progressions.
His description of the new tool, released in 1614 in Mirifica logarithmorum guns descriptio (63 pages) was read by Henry Briggs who met in 1615 and 1616 , and continued his work, taking its share of the option logarithm.
At this Mirifica logarithmorum descriptio guns must be added the 91 pages of written in 1614 , and published in 1619 , two years after his death by his son Robert. They describe, first, how to build a table of logarithms or Canon.
In 1617 , the year he died, Napier publishes his Rhabdologie, in which he introduced a mechanical process to streamline the operations of multiplication , division , etc.. and will bear the name sticks Napier.
Theology
Napier also uses his talents as a mathematician in theology. He published in 1593 , A Plaine Discovery of the Whole Revelation of St. John through which it becomes popular among the Reformed churches of Europe (translated book in French by George Thomson in 1602 under the title Opening all secrets the Apocalypse or Revelation of St. John ). He uses the Apocalypse to predict the end of the world, which he said would occur either in 1688 or 1700. Some contemporaries were also accused of necromancy ; note, however, that at that time, it was not uncommon for a talented scientist and is accused without proof.
Today, the remains of John Napier is the church of St Cuthbert in Edinburgh. .
Honors
Electrical Engineering, a unit of measure, neper , has been named in his honor. In Edinburgh, the University Napier also bears his name. Also, a log named after him, the natural logarithm. Finally, a lunar crater, the crater Napier , also paid tribute to him (see the list of craters on the Moon ).
About the name
In Britain, the name of Napier since 1645 seems to be used so broadly stable. However, the spellings of Napeir, Nepair, Nepeir, Napier, Nepper, Naper, Napar, Naipper have all been used, some by Napier himself. In 1593, the only book published in English by Napier contains a letter which dedicates the book to Jacques VI and is signed Napeir. This name is maintained in successive editions until 1645. French translations of this book are Napeir follow the name with the word 'cad unparalleled'.
In works published in Latin, the only name used is invariably Neperus.
These different graphs give a very clear idea of the pronunciation of his name.
French, Napier seems to have been adopted to render as faithfully as possible Scottish pronunciation of his name. While the name of Napier, pronounced the French would have lost all meaning in the ears of a Scot.
Internationally, the unit of measure that bears his name, and the lunar crater, have adopted the spelling Napier.
See also
- Jost Burgi , Swiss astronomer who developed the first system known logarithmic.
Sources
The Construction of Log With A Catalog of Napier's Works, translated from Latin into English by William Rae Macdonald, FFA, William Blackwood and Sons, Edinburgh & London, 1888. There are many notes of the author, Briggs notes, a bibliography and a catalog of publications Napier. Read online
- Denis Roegel: Napier's logarithms Of The ideal construction, 2010, http://www.loria.fr/ Roegel ~ / locomat.html
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