Nancy Dawson won’t do, nor the sweet banks of Yarrow,
I vow I would sing it from morning till noon,
So much am I charmed with the play of Pizarro.
Porson’s fondness for Algebra was universally known, but perhaps a more singular proof of this can hardly be adduced than is exhibited in the following equation, composed by him in Greek. The original is comprized in one line.
Τις ὁ αριθμος ον τεμνομενον εις δυο ανισεις μερεις η του μειζονος μεριδος δυναμις μετα του ελαττονος μεταλαμβανομενη ισος εσσεται του ελαττονος δυναμει μετα του μειζονος μεταλαμβανομενῃ.
Required the number, which being divided into two unequal parts, the square of the greater added to the less shall be equal to the square of the less added to the greater. Let the numbers be x and y.
x² × y = y² × x
x² - y² = x - y
x + y = 1.