MJ Thomas 2 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Anthony Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Tell me, what is the only mathematical
> calculation
> > relating to a pyramid that we find in
> Egyptian
> > formula texts?
>
> Anthony is of course alluding to the seked (the
> ratio: 1 royal cubit rise to X palms run).
> The seked was used in the determination of a
> pyramid's height and length of base, with the
> gradient of the faces being incidental to them.
> It is assumed that the seked was also used for the
> determination of the rise and run of sloping
> passages - if memory serves, there is no example
> of this in any of the Egyptian Mathematical
> Papyri.
>
> But Anthony appears to have overlooked the
> Pyramid's passages and chambers and their various
> features.
> From these things it is obvious that other
> mathematical calculations were used in the
> designing of the Pyramid's interior, i.e. at least
> basic arithmetic (addition, subtraction,
> multiplication, and division) and rectilinear
> geometry - and basic arithmetic and rectilinear
> geometry are major features in the Egyptian
> Mathematical Papyri.
> So, contrary to Anthony's allusion, the seked is
> not "the only mathematical calculation relating to
> a pyramid that we find in Egyptian formula
> texts".
>
Yes, well, it appears you wish that is what I had said, which is why you put the words in my mouth, creating statements I never made so you could then prove them wrong.
Quick lesson:
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26) Setup a false assumption: This is closely related to 25. A preposterous statement is attributed to someone, or a preposterous 'fact' is asserted, so that the writer can knock it down [a.k.a. '
straw man argument' (ST)].
Example: 'We find electric batteries many thousands of years old. Archaeology accepts such mysteries as puzzles, and stops cold.' Example: 'Scientists say that the earth is billions of years old, as determined by Carbon-14. But C-14 dating is notoriously unreliable. The earth could just as easily be 10,000 years old as 10 billion.' [In fact, the half-life of C-14 is 5,730 years and it is used exclusively to date organic material from archaeological sites a few thousands of years old at most. Our knowledge of the age of the earth, or of any non-organic material, has nothing whatsoever to do with C-14. Nor is C-14 dating particularly unreliable]. Example: 'How can we continue to believe what archaeologists tell us: that the Maya were a simple agricultural people with no knowledge of technology?'
[
www.astunit.com]
I asked a question about mathematical calculations that were related directly to pyramids, as evidenced by the culture in question. In fact, this is exactly what I wrote, with its preceding sentence included for context:
Quote
Only if one assumes, I repeat, ASSUMES, that the maths were the goal and not a simple tool used to quickly convey instructions, or calculate the amount of stone required.
Tell me, what is the only mathematical calculation relating to a pyramid that we find in Egyptian formula texts?
Everything else was your assumption, made despite what I had said on the subject, not as a result of its consideration.
Thanks for providing a learning opportunity to the lurkers.
Anthony
You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him think.