You are here

Mathematical Treasures - Mascheroni's Geometry

Author(s): 
Frank J. Swetz (Pennsylvania State University)

Lorenzo Mascheroni (1750-1800) was an Italian mathematician and physicist. In 1797, he published La Geometria del Compasso, in which he proved that all Euclidean constructions can be accomplished using only a compass. Mascheroni dedicated this book to Napoleon Bonaparte, who, he knew, possessed an interest in geometry.

                                   

One of Mascheroni’s constructions with its accompanying diagram:

                                   

                                   

The images above are provided courtesy of Columbia University Libraries, George Arthur Plimpton Collection.

Index to Mathematical Treasures 

Frank J. Swetz (Pennsylvania State University), "Mathematical Treasures - Mascheroni's Geometry," Convergence (October 2018)

Mathematical Treasures from the Smith and Plimpton Collections at Columbia University