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Mathematics: A Cargo of Pepper (p. 2a)


Mathematics: A Cargo of Pepper (p.02a)


Here, Michael continues calculations concerning the value of a cargo of pepper from the previous page. Many of the conventions of modern mathematics did not exist in Michael's time, including the plus, minus, and equals signs. Various graphic forms were used to aid calculations, as can be seen in the large "X" at the top and bottom of the page. The graphic forms of long division were also different, as is evident in the division of 155925 by 4000 at the far right of the first set of calculations.

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+ Ihesus + si fa 8000. Se sotrazo 8000 de 15592 1/2, romagnera 7592 1/2. Adoncha questo e men a l'inpoxizion. Arigordati a moltipicar in cruxe men e men sutrazi, piu e piu sutrazi, men e piu s'azonze e pi- u e men s'azonze, e chosi per lo simille el partidor, chomo vediri qui de sutto per singollo. 10 meno 11592 1/2 20 meno 7592 1/2 7592 1/2 10 75925 11592 1/2 20 231850 75925 Se die partir 155925 11592 1/2 7592 1/2 partidor 4000 155925 4000 38 E lo romagnente moltipichado per 24 e lo romagnente per 32, sera ala simille qualitade chomo dixe la riegola del 3, chomo dixe qui de sutto duchati 38, denari 23, pizulli 17 480/800. E per farla per inpoxizion per un'oltra via se die far per questo muo[do] seguiro qui de sutto. Mettemo che ala prima inpoxizion fusse 10, e noi diremo: "Se 315 tornase 10 de l'inpoxizion, che serave 400?" Moltipichado l'una per l'oltra, partida per 315, tu ssa che me die venir ducati 49 1/2, che son 99/2. Adoncha var- da che diferenzia e da[da] da quel che sera insio dal partior e su- trazi e mette sutto al'inpoxizion manchar tanto, moltipicha in croxe e parti. Sera duchati 38, denari 23, pizulli 17 480/800. 10 meno 36 505/630 20 meno 24 65/630 E si moltipichi in croxe e trazi e par- ti, inssira chomo de sovra ave- mo ditto per le oltre raxion. Insira duchati 38, denari 23, pizulli 17 480/800. //

+ Jesus + 9.9.05 JW makes 8000. If I subtract 8000 from 15592 1/2, 7592 1/2 will remain. So this is a minus at the false position. Remember to multiply across, subtract minus and minus, subtract plus and plus, add minus and plus, and add the plus and minus, and the same for the divisor, as you see set out below step by step. 10 minus 11592 1/2 20 minus 7592 1/2 7592 1/2 10 75925 11592 1/2 20 231850 75925 Should be divided 155925 11592 1/2 7592 1/2 divisor 4000 155925 4000 38 And the remainder multiplied by 24 and the resulting remainder by 32 will be the same sum as derived by the rule of three as is said below, 38 ducats, 23 denari, 17 480/800 piccoli. And to do the false position by another way, it should be done by this method I will follow below. Let's say that for the first position it was 10, and we will say, "If 315 gives 10 in the false position, what will 400 be?" If the one is multiplied by the other and divided by 315, you know that I should get 49 1/2 ducats, which is 99/2. So watch what the difference is given from what will result from the divisor and sub- tract and put below in the false position that so much is lacking, multiply across and divide. It will be 38 ducats, 23 denari, 17 480/800 piccoli. 10 minus 36 505/630 20 minus 24 65/630 And if you multiply across and subtract and di- vide it will turn out as we have said above for the other method. The result will be 38 ducats, 23 denari, 17 480/800 piccoli.