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The Life and Contributions of John Napier: Pioneer of Logarithms and Decimal Notation

John Napier (1550-1617), a nobleman from Edinburgh, Scotland, is best known for his invention of logarithms, a groundbreaking tool that transformed calculations. Initially educated at university, he traveled abroad and later created tables that simplified complex arithmetic. His significant publications, including "A Description of the Wonderful Canon of Logarithms," introduced methods for logarithmic calculations. Napier's work sparked controversy, particularly with his "Plaine Discovery of the Whole Revelation of St. John," which criticized the Pope. His legacy includes the introduction of decimal notation and innovative calculation techniques.

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The Life and Contributions of John Napier: Pioneer of Logarithms and Decimal Notation

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  1. Presentation 1 August 21, 2012

  2. John Napier (1550-1617) Born: Edinburgh, Scotland Noble Scottish man Married twice: 12 Children Educated initially in University; dropped out and traveled abroad

  3. Most known for Logarithms • Created a table to simplify calculations • First to use decimal notation • All numbers can be expressed in exponential notation form • Wrote several publications

  4. Publications • A Description of the Wonderful Canon of Logarithms (1614) and Construction of Logarithms (1619) provided a descriptions of the methods used to calculate logarithms. • A Plaine Discovery of the Whole Revelation of St. John. According to Hobson (1914) this publication represents one of the earliest Scottish interpretations of scriptures published in 1953. • MirificiLogarithmorumCanonisDiscripto. A description of an Admirable Table of Logarithms, 1914. • Rabdologiae (1617) gives various methods for abbreviating arithmetical calculations.

  5. Controversy • Created controversy over publication Plaine Discovery of the Whole Revelation of St. John • Publication regarded as Anti-Christ; accused the Pope of being the Anti-Christ. • Earliest interpretation of Scottish scripture published in 1953 • Predicted end of the world between 1688 and 1700 • This publication, although controversial, was regarded as one of his finer achievements. (Rumors that Napier practiced dark magic and was a Warlock)

  6. Invention • Most known for logarithms • Decimal Points • Napier logs/ Napier Bones

  7. Napier’s Rod /Bone

  8. Example: 6*479 4 7 9 2 4 5 4 2 4 6 2 8 7 4 479*6 = 2874

  9. Napier Logs General Rules • How to simplify logarithms? • What does it mean? • Definition of a Logarithm • If b and N are positive numbers (b1) • logb N = k if and only if bK = N

  10. Rules continued • Multiplication Rule: • logb XY = logb N + logb Y • Division Rule: • logb X/Y = logbX - logb Y • Power Rule: • logbxp = p logb x

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