Item Details

USA, 1800, Ledgers

VG

[Ciphering Books] Three c1800 Handwritten CIPHERING BOOKS Mathematical Formulas VULGAR FRACTIONS

Three paper ledgers measuring 8” x 13”, completely filled, about 50 pages each. Sections include LIQUID MEASURES, REDUCTION OF VULGAR FRACTIONS, RULE OF THREE, AVOIDUPOIS WEIGHT, SIMPLE INTEREST, LOSS AND GAIN,  GEOMETRICAL PROGRESSION, etc.

Handwritten ciphering books were used by students learning mathematics, handwriting, spelling and other disciplines. In many instances, the problems in the ciphering books may have been copied from published contemporary textbooks. Mathematical content in the books typically includes geometric problems; simple mathematical operations such as addition subtractions, etc.; measurement, problems involving several different currencies; application problems, proportion, interest, decimals, fractions and etc.Of particular interest are the application problems, which reveal social issues of the times.