Mathematical Treasure: Henrion's Arithmetic and Algebra

Author(s):

Frank J. Swetz (Pennsylvania State University)

Denis Henrion (also known as Pierre Hérigone, d. 1632) was a French mathematician and military engineer who is remembered for his work in clarifying and defending the theories of François Viète. His Collection, ou recueil de divers traictez mathematiques … d'arithmetique, d'algebre, … (1621), presented a solid course in basic mathematics.

Numeration and the naming and use of numbers was always the first topic or “operation” to be discussed in arithmetic books of the time.

In the discussion of division on page 27, the example of 16450237 ÷ 579 is posed and solved, using the “downward” algorithm. Note the listing of the possible divisors, i.e. multiples of 579, in the lefthand column of the example.

The division of fractions is considered. Try to follow the computation. How does it compare to the technique generally used today?

On the top of page 76 is an example of the “Chain Rule” for the exchange of monies and commodities between different locations with different systems of values. Here 365 lbs in Paris is to be transported to Flanders. It is known that 100 lbs Paris equals 116 lbs in Lyon and that 110 lbs Lyon becomes 100 lbs in Flanders. Using these conversions, it is found that 365 lbs Paris becomes 375 23/55 lbs. in Flanders. The bottom of the page begins a discussion of the “Rule of Society or Company” which concerns the division of profits or debts among a partnership where the partners each have different investments in the company. The following page provides an example.

On page 116, the author discussed the concept of a number cubed and illustrated it by giving a list of cubes. He then undertook a discussion of extracting the cube root of a large number, 94818816. The method employed was a variation of division as demonstrated and explained here ("cube root" at National Institute of Standards and Technology website).