• Journal for History of Mathematics
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.17-30
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• 2011

This study inquires into the change between two method of indivisibles, which Cavalier suggested. To cope with the objection of use of indivisibles, he modified his first method of indivisibles. Through the analysis of this transition, this study reveals the feature that Cavalier changed into reflecting the density of the figures so as to avoid the paradox related to the indivisibles and this change has the aspect of incomplete lemma-incorporation method according to Lakatos' theory.

• Journal for History of Mathematics
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.19-38
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• 2008

This study aims to investigate the evolution of calculating the volume of a sphere in eastern and western mathematical history. In western case, Archimedes', Cavalieri's and Kepler's approaches, and in eastern case, Nine Chapters';, Liu Hui's and Zus' approaches are worthy of noting. The common idea of most of these approaches is the infinitesimal concept corresponding to Cavalieri's or Liu-Zu's principle which would developed to the basic idea of Calculus. So this study proposes an alternative to organization of math-textbooks or instructional procedures for teaching the volume of a sphere based on the principle.