An unknown mathematical manuscript by Blaise Pascal (Q990271)

The paper presents a detailed study of a mathematical manuscript of Blaise Pascal, that is found as one page in the manuscript ``Recueil original'' of his famous philosophical work ``Pensées''. Due to the fact that it is ``hidden'' amongst the philosophical text (as page 410), it was previously unknown. The manuscript presents a proposition on the volume of a specific solid of revolution, including the proof (with some parts missing). The first part of the paper is a study of the manuscript itself, including a detailed transcription, while the second part of the paper discusses Pascal's proof by comparing it to the similar reasoning in Pascal's ``Lettres de A.\ Dettonville''. Although some parts of the manuscript are missing, this manuscript gives an insight into Pascal's method of work, and this is of particular interest since no other drafts of manuscripts preceding the final versions of his works are known to exist.