Reading Bombelli (Q697106)

The authors do not present an analysis of the whole of Rafael Bombelli's L'Algebra (1572), but focus on one mere aspect, i.e. the cubic equation. Indeed, Bombelli's theory of the complex numbers is closely related to the solution of the cubic equation, in contrast to Cardano whose discussion of complex numbers has its origin in the quadratic equations. Of course, also the irreducible cast is explained and set out. Bombelli was also engaged with the trisection of angles and presents a neusis-construction. Further there is given a translation of Bombelli's preface as well as a glossary. It is not true that Bombelli's Algebra is the first long treatise on mathematics written in Italian (p. 13): Tartaglia has published some of his works in Italian, and even the language of the so-called Treviso-Arithmetic from 1478 is Italian.