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Letter to Editor
February 2, 1776
The Virginia Gazette
Williamsburg, Virginia
What is this article about?
The author responds to A.M.'s satisfactory answer in Pinkney's paper on a gunnery question, notes a minor difference in their solutions, and provides a detailed geometric method to solve it, aiming to engage public interest in the important study of gunnery.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Mr. PURDIE,
The answer given to my question in Pinkney's paper, of the 10th instant, by A. M. is just and satisfactory; and shall only observe, that his solution differs from mine 75'30." The correspondence he proposes I shall be happy in carrying on, from the same motive that induced me to appear in print, which was only to obtain information upon the subject of GUNNERY, that I might be somewhat serviceable to the publick, by engaging their attention to so important a study. I solve the question in the following manner, but should not have published it, had it not been at the request of A. M. Draw AB equal to the horizontal distance; from the point B, and perpendicular to the horizon, draw Ba equal to the height of the point of projection above the object to be hit; from A draw AE equal to the impetus of the ball; bisect it in G by the line GK; at right angles to AE draw Am perpendicular to Aa, which will cut GK in m; with the radius AG, and on the point m, as centre, describe the circle AKE; bisect BA in R, and RA in C; draw the line CL perpendicular to the horizon, which will cut the circle in two points LF; draw AL and AF, which are the tangent, or directions required.
The answer given to my question in Pinkney's paper, of the 10th instant, by A. M. is just and satisfactory; and shall only observe, that his solution differs from mine 75'30." The correspondence he proposes I shall be happy in carrying on, from the same motive that induced me to appear in print, which was only to obtain information upon the subject of GUNNERY, that I might be somewhat serviceable to the publick, by engaging their attention to so important a study. I solve the question in the following manner, but should not have published it, had it not been at the request of A. M. Draw AB equal to the horizontal distance; from the point B, and perpendicular to the horizon, draw Ba equal to the height of the point of projection above the object to be hit; from A draw AE equal to the impetus of the ball; bisect it in G by the line GK; at right angles to AE draw Am perpendicular to Aa, which will cut GK in m; with the radius AG, and on the point m, as centre, describe the circle AKE; bisect BA in R, and RA in C; draw the line CL perpendicular to the horizon, which will cut the circle in two points LF; draw AL and AF, which are the tangent, or directions required.
What sub-type of article is it?
Informative
What themes does it cover?
Science Nature
What keywords are associated?
Gunnery
Projectile Motion
Geometric Solution
Public Education
Ballistics
What entities or persons were involved?
Mr. Purdie
Letter to Editor Details
Recipient
Mr. Purdie
Main Argument
provides a geometric solution to a gunnery problem to obtain and share information, aiming to engage public attention to the study of gunnery for public service.
Notable Details
References Pinkney's Paper Of The 10th Instant
Solution Differs From A.M.'S By 75'30"
Detailed Geometric Construction Involving Points A, B, E, G, K, M, R, C, L, F