

Revicz:; of the Cambridge Course of AJatkernatics, 305 



3, Elements of Algebra, by S. F. Lacroix* Transla- 

 ted from the French, for the use of the students of the 

 University at Cambridge, New England. Cambridge, 

 , N.E. Billiard and Metcalf, 1818. pp.263. 



M. Lacroix, the author of the first and third v<)lumes 

 before us, has long been distinguished as a writer upon the 

 pure mathematics. His mathematical works commence 

 With common arithmetic, and end only with the highest 

 pomtj to which the science of calculation has been carried. 

 xAlost of his treatises have passed through many editions, 

 and are generally used in France, both for public and pri- 

 vate instruction- They are connected with each other by 

 references, a circumstance which adds greatly to the conven- 

 ience and facility of reading ihem ; and they are probably 

 oiore complete, and of a higher scientific character, than 

 any other course, which has hitherto been published. His 

 Arithmetic and Elements of Algebra, form the two first 

 volumes of his course, and of these it will be our duty 

 ^on to speak particularly. His third volume is upon the 

 Elements of Geometry. This is followed by an elementary 

 treatise on rectilineal and spherical Trigonometry, and on 

 the application of Algebra to Geometry, and by supple- 

 oienis to the elements of Algebra and Geometry. This 

 last supplement is a treatise upon Descriptive Geometry, a 

 branch of Mathematics which has been recently opened, 

 ^^ rather which has recently been reduced to rigorous priu- 

 caples, and been used as an instrument of investigation. It 

 has not been much cultivated out of France.* It was es- 

 tabhshed as a branch of instruction in the Normal School, 

 created by a law of 30th October, 1794, and three Profes- 

 sors were appointed for the object, among whom was M. 

 Lacroix. 



Descriptive Geometry has two objects ; the first is, to 

 represent with exactness, upon surfaces which have but 

 ^wo dimensions, objects which have three dimensions, and 

 which are susceptible of a rigorous definition. Under this 

 point of view, it is a language more perfect than any other 



. * We observe with pleasure, that Mr. Crovt, Professor of En2:ir.eerir.g 

 ^n the Military Academy of the United States, has published the first part 

 f* a ti-eatise <-n Descrinf fve Geometrv, fov the use of the Cadets oi that 



institution. 



