Mathematical Treasure: Simpson's Doctrine of Annuities

Thomas Simpson (1710-1761) was a British mathematician known for his work on interpolation and numerical integration. “Simpson’s Rule” is attributed to him, but he himself credited Isaac Newton for it.

In 1742, Simpson published The Doctrine of Annuities and Reversions. This is the title page of the second edition of the work, published in 1775.

On pages 20 and 21 are examples of the problems considered.

On pages 38 and 39, we find a Table of Annuities listed for ages six through fifty-five.

This material is obtained through the courtesy of the Peabody Library of Johns Hopkins University.

Index to Mathematical Treasures