Mathematicians Of The Day

24th May



On this day in 997, Al-Biruni in Kath and Abu'l-Wafa in Baghdad simultaneously watched a lunar eclipse. The time obtained by this prearranged cooperation allowed them to determine the difference in longitude between the cities.

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Quotation of the day

From Luigi Menabrea
The illustrious inventor having been kind enough to communicate to me some of his views on this subject during a visit he made at Turin ...
He is referring to Babbage's Analytic Engine