12 Observations of the comet of 1807+ 
x(4)=—67 + p+i8t 
x(*)=—58°p+ 50 
x(§)=—51 p+ 36 (F) 
a(4)=—49 =p 45° 
&e. &e. 
These equations are of the same form as those given by La Place 
in vol. ii, pag. 135 of his “ Mecanique Celeste,” and the value of p, 
which will render the sum of the errors taken positively a minimum, 
may be found by the method explained in that part of his work. In’ 
the first place the coefficients of the term must be rendered positive 
by changing the signs of all the terms of the equation when necessary. 
Then the equations must be arranged according to the magnitudes of 
the quotients found by,,dividing the constant term cinta each equation by 
the coefficient of p, due regard being had. to the signs: “Phe 
equations must be arranged according to the Be of the terms 
181 50 | 
LE , = etc. In this manner I procured the system of equa- 
tions G. 
—2z(5) = 1p—104 x(4%)= 75-p— 52 
x(**)= 8-p—738 z(*) = 12p— 2 
—z(*?)= 8p—370 —x(30)= 56pt+ 8 
| —2("))= 17*p—683 mn b( 59) = 10g FS 
(88) 15 ‘p—510 x(41)= 28-p4 14 
pe @(*7)= 4p—134 0 x (8 8)= SOp+ 17 
x(#*)= 18:p—227 pan?) 8O*Dy 44 
—a(**)= 2p (81a A8p+ 78 
x(**)= 21-p—9293 x(37)= 26°p4. 51 
—«(77)=101-p—1050 07° )=241-p4475 
z(*%)= 10-~— 86 2 eae 83*p4235 
wr 284) = 15-p—129 | side Se p4116 ett 
