DISME
THE ART OF TENTHS
or
Decimall arithmetike
Teaching how to performe all computations
whatsoeuer by whole numbers without
fractions, by the foure principles of
common arithmetike: namely, addition,
subtraction, multiplication, and
diuision.
Invented by the excellent mathematician,
SIMON STEVIN.
Published in English with some additions
by
Robert Norton, Gentleman.
Imprinted at London by S.S. for Hugh
Astley, and are to be sold at his
shop at St. Magnus' Corner. 1608.
THE PREFACE OF SIMON STEVIN.
To Astronomers, Land-meters, Measurers of Tapistry, Gauges
Stereometers in general, Money-Masters, and to all
Merchants, SIMON STEVIN wishes health.
Many, seeing the smallness of this book and considering your worthiness, to whom it is
dedicated, may perchance esteem this our conceit absurd. But if the proportion be
considered, the small quantity hereof compared to human imbecility, and the great
utility unto high and ingenious intendments, it will be found to have made comparison
of the extreme terms, which permit not any conversion of proportion. But what of that?
Is this an admirable invention?
No certainly: for it is so mean as that it scant deserves the name of an invention, for as
the countryman by chance sometimes finds a great treasure, without any use of skill or
cunning, so hath it happened herein. Therefore, if any will think that I vaunt myself of
my knowledge, because of the explication of these utilities, out of doubt he shows himself
to have neither judgement, understanding, nor knowledge, to discern simple things from
ingenious inventions, but he (rather) seems envious of the common benefit; yet howsoever,
it were not fit to omit the benefit hereof for the inconvenience of such calumny. But as
the mariner, having by hap found a certain unknown island, spares not to declare to his
Prince the riches and profits thereof, as the fair fruits, precious minerals, pleasant
champions, etc., and that without imputation of self-glorification, even so
shall we speak freely of the great use of this invention; I call it great, being greater
than any of you expect to come from me. Seeing then that the matter of this Dime (the cause
of the name whereof shall be declared by the first definition following) is number, the use
and effects of which yourselves shall sufficiently witness by your continual experience,
therefore it were not necessary to use many words thereof, for the astrologer knows that
the world is become by computation astronomical (seeing it teaches the pilot the elevation
of the equator and of the pole, by means of the declination of the sun, to describe the true
longitudes, latitudes, situations and distances of places, etc.) a paradise, abounding in
some places with such things as the earth cannot bring
forth in other. But as the sweet is never without the sour, so the travail in such
computations cannot be unto him hidden, namely in the busy multiplications and divisions
which proceed of the 60th progression of degrees, minutes, seconds, thirds, etc. And the
surveyor or land-meter knows what great benefit the world receives from his science, by
which many divisions and difficulties are avoided which otherwise would arise by reason
of the unknown capacity of land; besides, he is not ignorant (especially whose business
and employment is great) of the troublesome multiplications of rods, feet, and oftentimes
of inches, the one by the other, which not only molests, but also often (though he be very
well experienced) causes error, tending to the damage of both parties, as also to the
discredit of landmeter or surveyor, and so for the money-masters, merchants, and
each one in his business. Therefore how much they are more worthy, and the means to attain
them the more laborious, so much the greater and better is this Dime, taking away those
difficulties. But how? It teaches (to speak in a word) the easy performance of all
reckonings, computations, & accounts, without broken numbers, which can happen in man's
business, in such sort as that the four principles of arithmetic, namely addition,
subtraction, multiplication, & division, by whole numbers may satisfy these effects,
affording the like facility unto those that use counters. Now if by those means we gain
the time which is precious, if hereby that be saved which otherwise should be lost, if so
the pains, controversy, error, damage, and other inconvenience commonly happening therein
be
eased, or taken away, then I leave it willingly unto your judgment to be censured;
and for that, that some may say that certain inventions at the first seem good, which
when they come to be practised effect nothing of worth, as it often happens to the
searchers of strong moving, which seem good in small proofs and models, when in great, or
coming to the effect, they are not worth a button: whereto we answer that herein is no
such doubt, for experience daily shows the same, namely by the practice of divers expert
land-meters of Holland, unto whom we have shown it, who (laying aside that which each of
them had, according to his own manner, invented to lessen their pains in their computations)
do use the same to their great contentment, and by such fruit as the nature of its witnesses
the due effect necessarily follows. The like shall also happen to each of yourselves using
the same as they do. Meanwhile live in all felicity.
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