Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

[Thomas Fincke and trigonometry].

Jürgen Schönbeck

    NTM
    |August 5, 2004
    PubMed
    Summary
    This summary is machine-generated.

    Thomas Fincke was a 17th-century mathematician and physician. His book "Geometriae rotundi libri XIIII" significantly advanced trigonometry, introducing key terms and concepts.

    Related Concept Videos

    You might also read

    Related Articles

    Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

    Sort by
    Same journal

    NTM·2026
    Same journal

    Technology Acceptance from Above and Below. Negotiations of Energy Saving, Statehood, and Distributive Fairness in West Germany, 1976-1986.

    NTM·2026
    Same journal

    Adapting to Modernity. River Engineering and Emotional Engineering in 1950s Sweden.

    NTM·2026
    Same journal

    Consigning Technology Acceptance to History. Introduction.

    NTM·2026
    Same journal

    "The Computer as a Sophisticated Disguise of the Devil" : Supposed Technophobia in German-Speaking Protestant Churches towards Electronic Data Processing (EDP).

    NTM·2026
    Same journal

    [History of Nursing and Care as a Research Theme].

    NTM·2026
    See all related articles

    Area of Science:

    • Mathematics
    • History of Science
    • Trigonometry

    Background:

    • Thomas Fincke (1561-1650) was a prominent Danish mathematician, astrologer, and physician during the early modern period.
    • He studied in Strasbourg and Padua, earning an M.D. from Basel in 1587, and later became a professor at Copenhagen in 1591.
    • Fincke was a representative of humanism and an influential academic organizer.

    Discussion:

    • Fincke's most renowned work is "Geometriae rotundi libri XIIII" (1583), which focused on plane and spherical trigonometry.
    • This influential text was based on Petrus Ramus's work rather than Euclid's.
    • In this book, Fincke introduced the mathematical terms 'tangent' and 'secant'.

    Key Insights:

    • Fincke's "Geometriae rotundi libri XIIII" is credited with the probable first notice of the Law of Tangents.

    Related Experiment Videos

  • The work also likely contained early formulations of the Newton-Oppel-Mauduit-Simpson-Mollweide-Gauss formula.
  • Through this publication, Fincke demonstrated his deep understanding of contemporary mathematical advancements.

    • Outlook:

    • Fincke's contributions highlight the evolving landscape of mathematics and science in the 17th century.
    • His work on trigonometry laid foundational concepts for future mathematical developments.
    • His legacy underscores the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in early modern science.