Leonardo da Pisa, perhaps better known as Fibonacci (ca. 1170 - ca. 1240), selected the most useful parts of Greco-Arabic geometry for the book known as De practica geometrie. This high quality translation offers a reconstruction of De practica geometrie as the author judges Fibonacci wrote it. In order to appreciate what Fibonacci created, the author considers his command of Arabic, his schooling, and the resources available to him. To these are added the author's own views on translation and remarks about prior Italian translations. A bibliography of primary and secondary resources follows the translation, completed by an index of names and special words.
Rezensionen / Stimmen
From the reviews:
"This is a translation of a book written in 1223. It was designed for those who had to solve practical problems such as finding areas and roots, measuring fields of all kinds, dividing fields among partners, measuring dimensions of bodies and heights, depths, longitude of planets, etc. It's a joy to read. The translation is charming. . De practica geometrie belongs in every library that supports graduate mathematics programs and also those that support programs in education." (Donald Cook, Mathematical Reviews, Issue 2008 k)
"In this book Fibonacci not only collected the plane geometry of Euclid but went far beyond. He included the use of trigonometry and algebra to solve geometrical problems . . Each chapter is accompanied by comments which serve as guidelines through the book. The book can be read with much pleasure. . Hughes has certainly presented a major scholarly work and . his translation will be read by many interested mathematicians and historians of science." (Thomas Sonar, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1145, 2008)
