FIRST PAPERS BY BOOLE

BOOLE, GEORGE.

Researches in the theory of analytical transformations, with a special application to the reduction of the general equation of the second order (+) On certain theorems in the calculus of variations (+) On the integration of linear differential equations with constant coefficients (+) Symmetrical solutions of problems respecting the straight line and plane.

Cambridge, Macmillan, Barclay, and Macmillan, 1840-1846.

8vo. Bound in recent brown full cloth with gilt letting to spine. In "The Cambridge Mathematical Journal, Vol. 1-2, Second edition". Light writing in pencil to title page and very light miscolouring to borders of pages, otherwise a fine and clean copy. VI, 311, (1), VIII, (2), II, 284 pp. + folded plates.

First printing of four early papers by the influential British mathematician and philosopher. As the inventor of Boolean logic-the basis of modern digital computer logic-Boole is regarded in hindsight as a founder of the field of computer science.

His earliest published paper was the "Researches in the theory of analytical transformations, with a special application to the reduction of the general equation of the second order." Printed in the Cambridge Mathematical Journal in February 1840 (Volume 2, no. 8, pp. 64-73), and it led to a friendship between Boole and D.F. Gregory, the editor of the journal, which lasted until the death of the latter in 1844.
In 1840 he began to contribute to the recently founded Cambridge Mathematical Journal and also to the Royal Society, which awarded him a Royal Medal in 1844 for his papers on operators in analysis; he was elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 1857.

"In papers in the Cambridge Mathematical Journal in 1841 and 1843 [The present], Boole dealt with linear transformations. The algebraic fact had been partly perceived by Lagrange and by Gauss, but Boole's argument drew attention to the (relative) invariance of the discrimiant ab - h2, and also to the absolute invariants of the transformation. This was the starting point of the theory of invariants, so rapidly and extensively developed in the second half of the nineteenth century." (DSB)

Order-nr.: 45091