Mathematical Treasures - Johann Boschenstein's Rechenbuch

This is the title page of Ain neu geordnet Rechenbiechlin (1514) by Johann Böschenstein (1472-1540). Böschenstein was best known as a professor of Hebrew in several German universities. In fact, Martin Luther studied Hebrew with him at one time. This rechenbuch (reckoning book, or arithmetic text) introduced students to the basic principles of arithmetic, with application to various business problems. The engraving on the title page shows someone working on an arithmetic problem.

Here, on sig. A, f. vi, Böschenstein presents eight examples of adding fractions and mixed numbers.

On sig. B, f. iii, Böschenstein presents the rules for dividing fractions, along with eight examples.

Index to Mathematical Treasures