Mathematics
3 STEVIN.
Decimal Fractions
THE FIRST PART
Of the Definitions of the Dime.
THE FIRST DEFINITION
Dime is a kind of arithmetic, invented by the tenth progression, consisting in characters of ciphers, whereby a certain number is described and by which also all accounts which happen in human affairs are dispatched by whole numbers, without fractions or broken numbers.
Explication. Let the certain number be one thousand one hundred and eleven, described by the characters of ciphers thus 1111, in which it appears that each 1 is the 10th part of his precedent character 1; likewise in 2378 each unity of 8 is the tenth of each unity of 7, and so of all the others. But because it is convenient that the things whereof we would speak have names, and that this manner of computation is found by the consideration of such tenth or dime progression, that is that it consists therein entirely, as shall hereafter appear, we call this treatise fitly by the name of Dime, whereby all accounts happening in the affairs of man may be wrought and effected without fractions or broken numbers, as hereafter appears.
THE SECOND DEFINITION
Every number propounded is called COMMENCEMENT, whose sign is thus
Explication. By example, a certain number is propounded of three hundred sixty-four: we call them the 364 commencements, described thus
and so of all other like.
THE THIRD DEFINITION
And each tenth part of the unity of the COMMENCEMENT we call the PRIME, whose sign is thus
and each tenth part of the unity of the prime we call the SECOND, whose sign is
and so of the other: each tenth part of the unity of the precedent sign, always in order one further.
Explication. As
that is to say: 3
primes, 7
seconds, 5
thirds, 9
fourths, and so proceeding infinitely, but to speak of their value, you may note that according to this definition the said numbers are
together
and likewise
are worth
together
and so of other like. Also you may understand that in this
dime we use no fractions, and that the multitude of signs, except
never exceed 9, as for example not
but in their place
for they value as much.
THE FOURTH DEFINITION
The numbers of the second and third definitions be foregoing are generally called DIME NUMBERS.
The End of the Definitions
THE SECOND PART OF THE DIME.
Of the Operation or Practice.
THE FIRST PROPOSITION: OF ADDITION
Dime numbers being given, how to add them to find their sum.
The Explication Propounded: There are 3 orders of dime numbers given, of which the first
the second
the third
The Explication Required: We must find their total sum.
Construction. The numbers given must be placed in order as here adjoining, adding them in the vulgar manner of adding of whole numbers in this manner. The sum (by the first problem of our French Arithmetic2) is 941304, which are (that which the signs above the numbers do show)
I say they are the sum required.
Demonstration. The
given make by the 3rd definition before
together
and by the same reason the
Shall make
and the
will make
which three numbers make by common addition of vulgar arithmetic
But so much is the sum
therefore it is the true sum to be demonstrated. Conclusion: Then dime numbers being given to be added, we have found their sum, which is the thing required.
Note that if in the number given there want some signs of their natural order, the place of the defectant shall be filled. As for example, let the numbers given be
and
in which the latter wanted the sign of
in the place thereof shall
be put. Take then for that latter number given
adding them in this sort.
This advertisement shall also serve in the three following propositions, wherein the order of the derailing figures must be supplied, as was done in the former example.
THE SECOND PROPOSITION: OF SUBTRACTION
A dime number being given to subtract, another less dime number given: out of the same to find their rest.
Explication Propounded: Be the numbers given
and
The Explication Required: To find their rest.
Construction. The numbers given shall be placed in this sort, subtracting according to vulgar manner of subtraction of whole numbers, thus.
The rest is 177839, which values as the signs over them do denote
I affirm the same to be the rest required.
Demonstration. The
make (by the third definition of this Dime)
together
and by the same reason the
value
which subtracted from
there rests
but so much doth
value; that is then the true rest which should be made manifest.
Conclusion. A dime being given, to subtract it out of another dime number, and to know the rest, which we have found.
THE THIRD PROPOSITION: OF MULTIPLICATION
A dime number being given to be multiplied, and a multiplicator given: to find their product.
The Explication Propounded: Be the number to be multiplied
and the multiplicator
The Explication Required: To find the product.
Construction. The given numbers are to be placed as here is shown, multiplying according to the vulgar manner of multiplcation by whole numbers, in this manner, giving the product 29137122. Now to know how much they value, join the two last signs together as the one
and the other
also, which together make
and say that the last sign of the product shall be
which being known, all the rest are also known by their continued order. So that the product required is
Demonstration. The number given to be multiplied,
(as appears by the third definition of this Dime),
together
and by the same reason the multiplicator
value
by the same, the said
multiplied gives the product
But it also values
It is then the true product, which we were to demonstrate. But to show why
multiplied by
gives the product
which is the sum of their numbers, also why
by
produces
and why
by
produces
etc., let us take
and
which (by the third definition of this Dime) are
their product is
which value by the said third definition
multiplying then
by
the product is
namely a sign compounded of the sum of the numbers of the signs given.
Conclusion. A dime number to multiply and to be multiplied being given, we have found the product, as we ought.
Note: If the latter sign of the number to be multiplied be unequal to the latter sign of the multiplicator, as, for example, the one
the other
they shall be handled as aforesaid, and the disposition thereof shall be thus.
THE FOURTH PROPOSITION: OF DIVISION
A dime number for the dividend and divisor being given: to find the quotient.
Explication Proposed: Let the number for the dividend be
and the divisor
Explication Required: To find their quotient.
Construction. The numbers given divided (omitting the signs) according to the vulgar manner of dividing of whole numbers, gives the quotient 3587; now to know what they value, the latter sign of the divisor
must be subtracted from the latter sign of the dividend, which is
rests
for the latter are also manifest by their continued order, thus
are the quotient required.
Demonstration. The number dividend given
makes (by the third definition of this Dime)
together
and by the same reason the divisor
values
by which
being divided, gives the quotient
but the said quotient values
therefore it is the true quotient to be demonstrated.
Conclusion. A dime number being given for the dividend and divisor, we have found the quotient required.
Note: If the divisor’s signs be higher than the signs of the dividend, there may be as many such ciphers 0 joined to the dividend as you will, or as many as shall be necessary: as for example,
are to be divided by
1 place after the 7 certain
thus 7000,
dividing them as afore said, and in this sort it gives for the quotient
It happens also sometimes that the quotient cannot be expressed by whole numbers, as
divided by
in this sort, whereby appears that there will infinitely come 3’s, and in such a case you may come so near as the thing requires, omitting the remainder. It is true, that
etc. shall be the perfect quotient required. But our invention in this Dime is to work all by whole numbers. For seeing that in any affairs men reckon not of the thousandth part of a mite, es, grain, etc., as the like is also used of the principal geometers and astronomers in computations of great consequence, as Ptolemy and Johannes Montaregio,
3 have not described their tables of arcs, chords, or sines in extreme perfection (as possibly they might have done by multinomial numbers), because that imperfection (considering the scope and end of those tables) is more convenient than such perfection.
Note 2. The extraction of all kinds of roots may also be made by these dime numbers; as, for example, to extract the square root of
which is performed in the vulgar manner of extraction in this sort, and the root shall be
for the moiety or half of the latter sign of the numbers given is always the latter sign of the root; wherefore, if the latter sign given were of a number impair, the sign of the next following shall be added, and then it shall be a number pair; and then extract the root as before. Likewise in the extraction of the cubic root, the third part of the latter sign given shall be always the sign of the root; and so of all other kinds of roots.
THE END OF THE DIME
1 P. Luckey, Die Rechenkunst bei [figure table] b.
(Steiner, Wiesbaden, 1951).
2L’Arithmétique de Simon Stevin de Bruges (Leyden, 1585); see Stevin, The principal works (Swets-Zeitlinger, Amsterdam), vol. IIB (1958). Problem I (p. 81) is: "Given two arithmetical integer numbers. Find their sum."
3 Johannes Montaregio (1436–1476) is best known under his latinized name, Johannes Regiomontanus. This craftsman, humanist, astronomer, and mathematician of Nuremberg influenced the development of trigonometry by means of his widely used book De triangulis omnimodis (written c. 1464, printed in Nuremberg in 1533). The sines, for Regiomontanus as well as for Stevin, were half chords; see our note to the following text on Napier and Selection III.2.