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On Mon, 6 Dec 2004, Frank Reed wrote:

> You should
> take a look at the opening pages of Bowditch's appendix
> on occultations and
> eclipses. He explains that the calculations are easier if you know
> how to use +
> and - signs on numbers, as in algebra.

In this connection, I cannot resist telling the story which
is somewhat away from the main topic of this list.

In 1889, they discussed a formula for measuring the racing yachts.

"One of the Nestors of the New York yachting, a man whose
expert knowledge of sand-bagger yachts entitled him to speak
with authority and to be heard with attention, was called on for his
opinions. His remarks were brief and very much to the point:
"You want a plain and simple rule, with no hyeroglyphics and
no plus in it. Who knows what plus is? I don't know what plus is.
You take the length overall and the length on the waterline, add them
together and divide by two, and you have a plain simple rule
with no plus in it".

(C. A. Marchaj, Seaworthiness. London 1996, p. 41).

Alex.

   

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