"Double-entry bookkeeping is quasi scientific in two ways: it supplies a test of accuracy and it rests on equations: at the bottom line (now a famous metaphor) the figures must match to the las penny. Further, in the body of the account, the line items are abstractions from common-sense reality. . . . Trade also contributed to mathematics the idea of negative numbers, essential to algebra. The minus quantity appears to have arisen when bales of goods for shipment varied a little in weight. To be fair to buyer and seller alike, they would be marked in chalk plus or minus the standard weight."
Bernard English
FREE 30-minute trial classes available!
Online English Tutor/Teacher
- Native Speaker of American English Conversation practice. Chatting or in-depth discussion of news articles. TOEFL-IELTS practice / CV, SOP, journal paper, essay revision 英語家教 彈性排課, 免通勤, 托福, 職場英文, 履歷/論文修改…等。 請看我的學生推薦信。
Sunday, March 15, 2009
A QUOTE on Bookkeeping and Negative Numbers
Quoted FROM Dawn to Decadence, by Jacques Barzun (p. 206-7)
Native Speaker of American English
Conversation practice. Chatting or in-depth discussion of news articles.
TOEFL-IELTS practice / CV, SOP, journal paper, essay revision
英語家教
彈性排課, 免通勤, 托福, 職場英文, 履歷/論文修改…等。
請看我的學生推薦信。