Robert Recorde

Robert Recorde

Robert Recorde (1512–1558)
Born Robert Recorde
ca. 1512
Tenby, Pembrokeshire, Wales
Died 1558 (1559)
London, England
Nationality Welsh
Fields Mathematician and physician
Institutions University of Oxford
Royal Mint
Alma mater University of Oxford
University of Cambridge
Known for Inventing the "equals" sign (=)

Robert Recorde (ca. 1512–1558) was a Welsh physician and mathematician. He invented the "equals" sign (=) and also introduced the pre-existing "plus" sign (+) to English speakers in 1557.[1]

Biography

A member of a respectable family of Tenby, Wales, born in 1512,[1] Recorde entered the University of Oxford about 1525, and was elected a Fellow of All Souls College there in 1531. Having adopted medicine as a profession, he went to the University of Cambridge to take the degree of M.D. in 1545. He afterwards returned to Oxford, where he publicly taught mathematics, as he had done prior to going to Cambridge. It appears that he afterwards went to London, and acted as physician to King Edward VI and to Queen Mary, to whom some of his books are dedicated. He was also controller of the Royal Mint and served as "Comptroller of Mines and Monies" in Ireland.[2] After being sued for defamation by a political enemy, he was arrested for debt and died in the King's Bench Prison, Southwark, by the middle of June 1558.

Publications

The first known equation, equivalent to 14x+15=71 in modern syntax.
Recorde's introduction of "="

Recorde published several works upon mathematical and medical subjects, chiefly in the form of dialogue between master and scholar, such as the following:

Sherburne states that Recorde also published Cosmographiae isagoge, and that he wrote books entitled De Arte faciendi Horologium and De Usu Globorum et de Statu temporum. Recorde's chief contributions to the progress of algebra were in the way of systematising its notation.

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 Johnston, Stephen (2004). "Recorde, Robert (c.1512–1558)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/23241. Retrieved 26 January 2012. (subscription or UK public library membership required)
  2. ↑ Newman, James R. (1956). The World of Mathematics.
  3. ↑ Jourdain, Philip E. B. (1913). The Nature of Mathematics.
  4. ↑ Robert Recorde, The Whetstone of Witte (London, England: John Kyngstone, 1557), p. 236 (although the pages of this book are not numbered). From the chapter titled "The rule of equation, commonly called Algebers Rule" (p. 236): "Howbeit, for easie alteration of equations. I will propounde a fewe examples, bicause the extraction of their rootes, maie the more aptly bee wroughte. And to avoide the tediouse repetition of these woordes: is equalle to: I will sette as I doe often in worke use, a paire of paralleles, or Gemowe [twin, from gemew, from the French gemeau (twin / twins), from the Latin gemellus (little twin)] lines of one lengthe, thus: = , bicause noe .2. thynges, can be moare equalle." (However, for easy manipulation of equations, I will present a few examples in order that the extraction of roots may be more readily done. And to avoid the tedious repetition of these words "is equal to", I will substitute, as I often do when working, a pair of parallels or twin lines of the same length, thus: = , because no two things can be more equal.)
  5. ↑ The Urinal of Physick, by Robert Recorde, 1548; at Google Books

References

External links

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