A reply to a critical and monthly reviewer, in which is inserted Euler's demonstration of the binomial theorem / by Abram Robertson.

  • Robertson, Abram, 1751-1826.
Date:
1808
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A reply to a critical and monthly reviewer, in which is inserted Euler's demonstration of the binomial theorem / by Abram Robertson. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

    18/42 (page 16)
    upon the two circumftances already ftated, and by his in- ability to recur to any coincidence in the ufe made of them, to prove or ftrengthen the accufation. If my com- binations of the principles had been fuch as Euler em- ployed in his memoir, the critic would have had good ground for his infinuation of plagiarifm ; and he would have been fully juftified in awarding the priority of in- vention to Euler. But, this not being the cafe, his infi- nuation and award juftify me in aflerting, that he has Ihewn at once his with and his inability to injure the character of my paper. On the whole, I confider his review of my demonftration as a bungling and grofs mif- reprefentation from the beginning to the end ; and his charge of plagiarifm as more becoming a boy, with a fmattering of Algebra, than an intelligent and candid critic. In Euler’s memoir on the fubjeft in queftion, it is taken for granted that the Binomial Theorem has been previoufly demonftrated, as far as it relates to the railing of integral powers. There is, therefore, nothing in it analogous to the firft part of my paper; which, as al- ready ftated, I deem abfolutely neceftary as a foundation for the fecond part. Beyond the circumftances already mentioned, Euler’s memoir is fo ftiort, that it is to be confidered rather as the outlines of a proof, than as any thing like a complete demonftration. OF