DIOPHANTUS of Alexandria (fl. A.D. 250). Arithmeticorum libri sex, et de numeris multangulis liber unus. Edited by Claude Bachet de Méziriac (1581-1638). Paris: H. Drouart, 1621. Editio princeps of the first systematic treatise on algebra and number theory, comprising the original Greek text, Xylander’s Latin translation (1575) and Bachet’s commentary. The most important work of Diophantus, a Greek mathematician of the third century, this edition is significant for directing Fermat's attention to the theory of numbers. Fermat stated his famous ‘last theorem’ in a marginal note in his copy of this work. Another edition containing Fermat's own commentaries was published at Toulouse in 1670. There are two imprints of the 1621 edition; one by Drouart and one by Cramoisy, which are identical except for the title (no priority established). Honeyman 891. Folio (338 x 217 mm). Title printed in red and black, woodcut vignette, diagrams and initials (light dampstain to the upper outer corner, occasional browning throughout). Near-contemporary calf, gilt spine, red sprinkled edges (a few minor neat repairs, one larger repair to front board). Provenance: inscription erased from title – Vincenzo Flauti (1782-1863, Mathematician and Secretary of the Royal Academy of Sciences, Naples; remains of label to front pastedown).
DIOPHANTUS of Alexandria (fl. A.D. 250). Arithmeticorum libri sex, et de numeris multangulis liber unus. Edited by Claude Bachet de Méziriac (1581-1638). Paris: H. Drouart, 1621. Editio princeps of the first systematic treatise on algebra and number theory, comprising the original Greek text, Xylander’s Latin translation (1575) and Bachet’s commentary. The most important work of Diophantus, a Greek mathematician of the third century, this edition is significant for directing Fermat's attention to the theory of numbers. Fermat stated his famous ‘last theorem’ in a marginal note in his copy of this work. Another edition containing Fermat's own commentaries was published at Toulouse in 1670. There are two imprints of the 1621 edition; one by Drouart and one by Cramoisy, which are identical except for the title (no priority established). Honeyman 891. Folio (338 x 217 mm). Title printed in red and black, woodcut vignette, diagrams and initials (light dampstain to the upper outer corner, occasional browning throughout). Near-contemporary calf, gilt spine, red sprinkled edges (a few minor neat repairs, one larger repair to front board). Provenance: inscription erased from title – Vincenzo Flauti (1782-1863, Mathematician and Secretary of the Royal Academy of Sciences, Naples; remains of label to front pastedown).
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