Charles L. Dodgson’s Work on Trigonometry
Charles L. Dodgson’s Work on Trigonometry

Summary/Abstract: + There is growing interest in the mathematics of Charles L. Dodgson, alias Lewis Carroll (1832– 1898). His contributions to geometry, algebra, logic, voting theory and recreational mathematics have been reviewed in recent literature. Dodgson’s work in trigonometry is less known. He wrote his initial work on trigonometry, a pamphlet titled The Formulae of Plane Trigonometry, out of concern for his students to ease their studying burden and to improve their performance on examinations. Notable for its precision and completeness, it has all the tell-tale characteristics we associate with the serious mathematical writings he produced throughout his lifetime. He designed his later trigonometric work as the legatee of Augustus De Morgan’s correspondence with would-be circle squarers to appeal to and be understood by these mathematical dilettantes. This paper surveys Dodgson’s trigonometric work and what it teaches us about Dodgson’s mathematical practices.

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