John Pell and the Obelus
On March 1, 1611, English mathematician John Pell was born. Pell introduced the division sign (obelus, ÷) into England. The obelus was first used by Johann Rahn (1622-1676) in 1659 in Teutsche Algebra. Rahn’s book was interpreted into English and published, with additions made by John Pell. Early Years Pell was born in Southwick in Sussex, where his father of the same name, John Pell, was pastor and rector; his mother was Mary…
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