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Original fileArithmetic Progression Disk (Rechenscheibe)
Rechenscheibe
About This Work
The image features a central black circle surrounded by concentric rings and radial lines forming a circular grid. Within each sector, columns of numbers increase outward from the center, demonstrating mathematical progressions. The diagram is presented on a page with Latin header and footer text explaining the rules of arithmetic progression.
This diagram is from Robert Fludd's 'Utriusque Cosmi Maioris scilicet et Minoris metaphysica, physica atque technica Historia' (1617–1621). It represents the early modern attempt to quantify the structural harmony of the cosmos through mathematical principles.
Inscriptions(Latin)
53 TRACT. II. PART. I. LIB. II. C A P. VI. De Progressione. In progressione Arithmetica duo consideranda. Ordo progrediendi, de quo regula prima. Numerorum valoris collectio, ubi loci sunt Pares, & de his regula secunda. Impares, de quibus regula tertia. Regula I. In progressione Arithmetica semper progrediendum est addendo primum numerum progressionis unicuique numero sequenti, ut in speculo sequenti apparet. Regula II. DE NVMERORVM PROGRESSIONIS parium locorum valore. Reputa quot numeri sive loci in progressione contineantur; Si enim pares sunt addendus est primus digitus numero ultimo; & aggregatum numerum multiplica per dimidium numerum locorum, productus enim erit valor numerorum omnium in progressione, ut:
Translation
53 Tractate II, Part I, Book II. Chapter VI. On Progression. In arithmetic progression two things are to be considered: The order of progressing, concerning which is the first rule. The collection of the value of the numbers, where the places are: Even, and concerning these the second rule. Odd, concerning which is the third rule. Rule I. In arithmetic progression one must always progress by adding the first number of the progression to each following number, as appears in the following mirror. Rule II. ON THE VALUE OF THE PLACES OF EVEN NUMBERS OF AN ARITHMETIC PROGRESSION. Calculate how many numbers or places are contained in the progression; for if they are even, the first digit must be added to the last number; and multiply the aggregate by half the number of places; for the product will be the value of all the numbers in the progression, as:
Connected Texts
Robert Fludd, Utriusque Cosmi
This print is an original illustration from Fludd's encyclopedic work on the macrocosm and microcosm.
Collections
Provenance & Source
Object
engraving
laid paper
Baroque
German
scientific
Digital Source
Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
449 × 820 px
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