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Re: Worsley's Epitome
From: Lars Bergman
Date: 2017 Feb 10, 08:04 -0800
From: Lars Bergman
Date: 2017 Feb 10, 08:04 -0800
Robin, you wrote "I don't know what actually done to compute the tables but whether a 5-figure table gives 8.87661 or 8.87662 may depend on the exact method used".
Yes, that is true. However, I have checked a few 5-figure tables:
Roswall (1824), Bowditch (1851), Pettersson (1861), Lindman (1924); they all gives 8.87661.
So if we can find a 5-figure table showing log cos 85°41' = 8.87662 then we have a good indicator of which table Worsley might have used. If not, then we have an indication that he used a 6-figure table.
Lars
