hilosopher and Mathematicien,
named _Diophantus_, before _Geber_ his tyme, wrote 13. bookes therof (of
which, six are yet extant: and I had them to *vse,

[* Anno. 1550.]

of the famous Mathematicien, and my great frende, _Petrus Montaureus_:)
And secondly, the very name, is _Algiebar_, and not _Algebra_: as by the
Arabien _Auicen_, may be proued: who hath these precise wordes in
Latine, by _Andreas Alpagus_ (most perfect in the Arabik tung) so
translated. _Scientia faciendi Algiebar & Almachabel. i. Scientia
inueniendi numerum ignotum, per additionem Numeri, & diuisionem &
aequationem_. Which is to say: +_The Science of workyng Algiebar and
Almachabel_+, that is, the +_Science of findyng an vnknowen number, by
Addyng of a Number, & Diuision & aequation_+. Here haue you the name:
and also the principall partes of the Rule, touched. To name it, _The
rule, or Art of Aequation_, doth signifie the middle part and the State
of the Rule. This Rule, hath his peculier Characters:

[5.]

and the principal partes of _Arithmetike_, to it appertayning, do
differre from the other _Arithmeticall operations_. This _Arithmetike,
hath Numbers_ Simple, Compound, Mixt: and Fractions, accordingly. This
Rule, and _Arithmetike of Algiebar_, is so profound, so generall and so
(in maner) conteyneth the whole power of Numbers Application practicall:
that mans witt, can deale with nothyng, more proffitable about numbers:
nor match, with a thyng, more mete for the diuine force of the Soule,
(in humane Studies, affaires, or exercises) to be tryed in. Perchaunce
you looked for, (long ere now,) to haue had some particular profe, or
euident testimony of the vse, proffit and Commodity of Arithmetike
vulgar, in the Common lyfe and trade of men. Therto, then, I will now
frame my selfe: But herein great care I haue, least length of sundry
profes, might make you deme, that either I did misdoute your zelous
mynde to vertues schole: or els mistrust your hable witts, by some, to
gesse much more. A profe then, foure, fiue, or six, such, will I bryng,
as any reasonable man, therwith may be persuaded, to loue & honor, yea
learne and exercise the excellent Science of _Arithmetike_.

And first: who, nerer at hand, can be a better witnesse of the frute
receiued by _Arithmetike_, then all kynde of Marchants? Though not all,
alike, either nede it, or vse it. How could they forbeare the vse and
helpe of the Rule, called the Golden Rule? Simple and Comp