[ 338] 



inveftigation of it by repeated tentations may 

 be very tedious. A table therefore of the odd 

 numbers*, in which the Compofite numbers fhould 

 each have its lead Prime divifor written over it, 

 would be very ufeful. But Nichomachus's project 

 of framing a table in which each Compofite num- 

 ber mould have all its divifors written over it, is 

 ridiculous and abfurd, on account of the infupera- 

 ble difficulties which would attend the execution 

 of it.. 



Feb. 7, i772> 



S» HorUey. 



* A table of the odd numbers would be fufficient * for the 

 number 2 is the leaft prime divifor of every even number j and? 

 it is eafy, even in the largeft numbers, to try whether they are 

 divifible by 2. In our method of notation, this may always be 

 known, by obferving the laft figure in the expreflion of the num~- 

 \o,i propofed.. 



