DECADAL ARITHMETIC, is that performed by a Series of ten Characters, so that the Progression is from 10 to 10—Such is the common Arithmetic among us, which makes Use of the ten Arabic Figures, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9; after which we begin 10, 11, 12, etc.
This Method of Computation is not very ancient, being utterly unknown to the Greeks and Romans.—It was introduced into Europe by Gerbert, afterwards Pope, under the Name of Sylvester II, who borrowed it from the Moors of Spain.—No doubt it took its Origin from the ten Fingers of the Hands, which were made use of in Computations before Arithmetic was brought into an Art. The Eastern Missionaries assure us, that to this Day the Indians are very expert at computing on their Fingers, without any Use of Pen and Ink, Lat. Edif. & Cur.—Add, that the Natives of Peru, who do all by the different Arrangement of Grains of Maize, out-do any European, both for Sureness and Dispatch, with all his Rules; Savary Dic. de Com.
DECADAL ARITHMETIC
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- Written by: Ephraïm Chambers
- Category: Unclassified