Abstract
It is shown how a diagram on the reverse of a Greek coin of Aegina of the fifth century b.c.e., is simply constructed with the help of Proposition 36 of Euclid’s Book on Divisions [of Figures], and it is conjectured in the absence of contemporary evidence that, since Euclid expressly designated this proposition to be the last in the book, he may have had in mind the diagram, which, some 200 years after its appearance on the coinage, may still have played a significant role in geometry.
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Communicated by J.D. North.
To the doctors and nurses of Harefield and Watford General Hospitals, the Author gratefully dedicates this article.
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Aboav, D. Euclid’s book on divisions of figures: a conjecture as to its origin. Arch. Hist. Exact Sci. 62, 603–612 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00407-008-0029-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00407-008-0029-7