Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1859-11-12
CHAPTER OF FACTS AND FIG.
a#t .'- URES.

MATHEMATICs.-This term is derived
from the Creek verb, mathco, to learn.
Arithmetic is derived from the Greek
ar,ttmos, signitying numbers.
Calculation, in French called cdlcul, is
derived froma Latin word signitying tifie
stones, because the ancients used such in
stead OF figures ia their computations
All other numbers are expressed by differ
ent arrangements Of the cipher, and the
nine figures called digits. This was learned
from the Arabians, who are said TO have
derived their knowledge from countries still
farther East. The Greeks aud Romans
used the letters Of their alphabet to ex-
press numbers.
Of all the sciences, arithmetic is perhaps
the most ancient, it having being taugh, by
the Egyptians six hundred years before
Christ. @+
Algebra, in its original meaning, .igni
ties reduction OF trsctions. Some would
refer the origin Of Algebra to Pluto, be.
cause he first taught he principles of anal
ysis, which are not 80 necessary to the ex.
lstenee OF this science but it is generally
attributed to the Arabians, from whose
language the word algebra is taken.
The frs. treatise on algebra is said to
have been written by Diophanles, a philos
opher OF Alexandris, who lived ia the reign
OF Antorius, towards the middle of the sec.
ond century.
Arithmetic teaches only the property of
numbers which are known its calculations
are carried on in figures, but in algebra
letters are made to represent numbers that
are unknown. 1t takes for granted the
quantity sought, and by means Of one or
more quantities, proceeds until the sup.
posed quantity is discovered by some other
quantity to which it is equal.
Geometry takes its Lame from the Greek
words ge, land or earth, aud metren, meas
ure, signitying 20 measure land.
Apprentice is from apprendre, to learn
Steam Is pure water, expanded by hea,
into an invisible vapor. Its employment
in philosophical experiments. and also by
the priests Of early ages to maintain the ir
asceudency over the mind Of the people
is matter Of history, but the exact
period of its first introduction appears to
be unknown. The most ancient account
OF its performances now extant is a treatise
published by Hero of Alexandria, about
two thousand years ago. In this treatise
he describes among the inventions Of
others, some of bis own, and these have
gained the honor of being regarded as the
first inventor of the steam engine, nd
| Egypt as the land Of its origin.
WATEN-lt has been general since
Watts discovery Of the composition of wa,
ter. to define il as consisting Of one volume
OF oxygen and two volumes of hydrogen
or by weight, one part Of hydrogen and
eight parts OF oxygen, the specific gravity
OF the latter being sixteen times that of
the former. The discovery of the compo.
si,ion of water has been sscribed BY some
to Watt, and by others to Cayendish. -
Lord Brougham says:
having examined the evidence, am
convinced that Watt was the first discover.
Ell in point Of time" a3a
This being regarded as one OF the great
est discoveries Of the age, was naturally a
point OF emulation amongst those having
the least chance Of gaining the honor. and
it has by no mean authority been attributed
to Watt
Power OF WATsR-Water in each of its
characters of = solid, as ice. of fluid, as
water, or vapor as steam, develops i'm
mense power. When It solidifes into ice
its crystals cross each other at angles OF
CO., and enlarge the bulk nearly one eighth
with such force as to explode rocks, trees
and even pieces Of artillery.