Adriaan Vlacq

Dutch mathematician

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July 14, 2026

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Adriaan Vlacq was a Dutch publisher known for his work with logarithmic tables in the 17th century. He published a 10-place table of logarithms for numbers from 1 to 100,000 in 1628, adding the missing values to existing tables. This was a significant contribution to numerical calculation, which was crucial for advancements in fields like astronomy and navigation during the Scientific Revolution. Logarithms simplified complex multiplication and division, making calculations faster and more accurate before the advent of mechanical calculators and computers.12

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logarithm
History of logarithms
In 1628 the Dutch publisher Adriaan Vlacq brought out a 10-place table for values from 1 to 100,000, adding the missing 70,000 values. Both Briggs and Vlacq engaged in setting up log trigonometric tables. Such early tables were either to one-hundredth of a degree or to one minute of arc.…
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In 1628 the Dutch publisher Adriaan Vlacq brought out a 10-place table for values from 1 to 100,000, adding the missing 70,000 values. Both Briggs and Vlacq engaged in setting up log trigonometric tables. Such early tables were either to one-hundredth of a degree or to one minute of arc.…
Read More