PREFACE Long after the death of Robert Recorde, England's first . great writer of textbooks, the preface of a new edition of one of his works contained the appreciative statement that the book was " entaild upon the People, ratified and sign’d by the approbation of Time.” The language of this sentiment sounds quaint, but the noble tribute is as impressive to-day as when first put in print two hundred fifty years ago. With equal truth these words may be applied to the Geometry written by George A. Wentworth. For a generation it has been the leading textbook on the subject in America. It set a standard for usability that every subsequent writer upon geometry has tried to follow, and the number of pupils who have testified to its excellence has run well into the millions. In undertaking to prepare a revision of this work, the authors have been guided by certain well-defined principles, based upon an extended investigation of the needs of the schools and upon a study of all that is best in the recent literature of the subject. The effects of these principles they feel should be summarized for the purpose of calling the attention of the wide circle of friends of the Wentworth text to the points of similarity and of difference in the editions. 1. Every effort has been made not only to preserve but to improve upon the simplicity of treatment, the clearness of expression, and the symmetry of page that have characterized the successive editions of the Wentworth Geometry. It has been the purpose to prepare a book that should do even more than maintain the traditions this work has fostered. iii COPYRIGHT, 1888, 1899, BY G. A. WENTWORTH AND DAVID EUGENE SMITH ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 911.1 HARVARD The Athenæum Press PRE FACE Long after the death of Robert Recorde, England's first great writer of textbooks, the preface of a new edition of one of his works contained the appreciative statement that the book was 'entail'd upon the People, ratified and sign'd by the approbation of Time.” The language of this sentiment sounds quaint, but the noble tribute is as impressive to-day as when first put in print two hundred fifty years ago. With equal truth these words may be applied to the Geometry written by George A. Wentworth. For a generation it has been the leading textbook on the subject in America. It set a standard for usability that every subsequent writer upon geometry has tried to follow, and the number of pupils. who have testified to its excellence has run well into the millions. In undertaking to prepare a revision of this work, the authors have been guided by certain well-defined principles, based upon an extended investigation of the needs of the schools and upon a study of all that is best in the recent literature of the subject. The effects of these principles they feel should be summarized for the purpose of calling the attention of the wide circle of friends of the Wentworth text to the points of similarity and of difference in the editions. 1. Every effort has been made not only to preserve but to improve upon the simplicity of treatment, the clearness of expression, and the symmetry of page that have characterized the successive editions of the Wentworth Geometry. It has been the purpose to prepare a book that should do even more than maintain the traditions this work has fostered. iii |