Disme: the art of tenths, or decimall arithmetike teaching how to perform all computations whatsoeuer, by whole numbers without fractions, by the foure principles of common arithmeticke: namely addition, subtraction, multiplication, and diuision. Inuented by the excellent mathematician, Simon Steuin. Published in English with wholesome additions by Robert Norton, Gent.

The first Part. Of the Definitions of the Dismes. (Book 1)

The first Definition.

DIsme is a kind of Arithmeticke, inuented by the tenth progression, consisting in Characters of Cy∣phers; whereby a certaine number is described, and by which also all accounts which happen in humane affayres, are dispatched by whole numbers, without fractions or broken numbers.

Explication.

LEt the certaine number be one thousand, one hundred and eleuen, described by the Characters of Cyphers thus 1111, in which it apeareth that ech 1 is the 10th part of his precedent character 1: likewise in 2378, each vnity of 8 is the tenth of each vnity of 7, and so of all the others: But because it is conueniēt that the things where∣of we would speake, haue names, and that this maner of

computation is found by the consideration of such tenth or disme progression; that is, that it consisteth therein entire∣ly, as shall hereafter appeare: Wee call this Treatise fitly by the name of Disme, whereby all accounts hapning in the affayres of man, may be wrought and effected without fractions or broken numbers, as hereafter appeareth.

The second Definition.

EVery number propounded, is called Comencement, wose signe is thus (⁰).

Explication.

BY example, a certaine number is propounded of three hundred sixty foure: we call the 364 Comencements, described thus 364 (⁰) and so of all other like.

The third Definition.

ANd each tenth part of the vnity of the Comencement, wee call the Prime, whose signe is thus (¹), and each tenth part of y^e vnity of the Prime, we call the Second, whose signe is (²), and so of y^e other: each tenth part of the vnity of the precedent signe, alwayes in order, one further.

Explication.

AS 3 (¹) 7 (²) 5 (³) 9 (⁴) that is to say, 3 Primes, 7 Se∣conds, 5 Thirds, 9 Fourths, and so proceeding infinitly: but to speake of their valew, you may note, that according to this definition, the sayd numbers are 3/10 7/100 5/1000 9/10000, together 3759/10000 and likewise 8 (⁰) 9 (¹) 3 (²) 7 (³) are worth 8 9/10 3/100 7/1000 together 8 937/1000 and so of other like. Also you may vnderstand, that in this Disme we vse no

fractions, and that the multitude of signes, except (⁰) ne∣uer exceede 9: as for example, not 7 (¹) 12 (²) but in their place 8 (¹) 2 (²), for they valew as much.

The fourth Definition.

THe numbers of the second and third Definitions before going, are generally called Disme numbers.

The end of the Definitions.