Diagram for doubling the cube
Date
September 1661
Creator
Unknown, Artist
Object type
Archive reference number
Manuscript page number
p13
Material
Dimensions
height (page): 322mm
width (page): 209mm
width (page): 209mm
Subject
Description
This is a copy of a diagram used by Thomas Hobbes to attempt a solution to the ancient problem of doubling the cube (i.e. using only a compass and straightedge to construct a cube which has double the volume of a given cube). It was one of a number of mathematical problems (several of which, including this one, are now known to be impossible) that Hobbes studied in this period. Hobbes's proposed solution was submitted to the King, who endorsed the paper which was delivered to the Royal Society on 4 September 1661. This figure may be related to the preceding paper by William Brouncker (Cl.P/1/11/011 (prev 11g)), which points out the problems with Hobbes's solution.
Other versions of this diagram can be found at RBO/1/098v, RBC/1/103 and MS/776/090.
Other versions of this diagram can be found at RBO/1/098v, RBC/1/103 and MS/776/090.
Object history
At the meeting of the Royal Society on 4 September 1661, ‘A proposition of Mr. Hobbes for finding two mean proportionals between two strait lines given, was delivered to the Society by Sir Paul Neile from the king, indorsed with this majesty’s own hand, and was ordered to be registered; as was afterwards the answer to the problem, by lord viscount Brouncker’ (Birch 1:42). The date on which this was entered in the Register Book is given as 1 October, probably to await Brouncker's refutation.
Related fellows
Paul Neile (British) , Astronomer
Associated place