• 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 of the Korean School Mathematics Society
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.19-30
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• 2008

Cavalieri is chiefly remembered for his work on the problem "indivisibles." Building on the work of Archimedes, he investigated the method of construction by which areas and volumes of curved figures could be found. Cavalieri regarded an area as made up of an indefinite number of parallel line segments and a volume of an indefinite number of parallel plane areas. He called these elements the indivisibles of area and volume. Cavalieri developed a method of the indivisibles which he used to determine areas and volumes. We call this Cavalieri's principle which states that there exists a plane such that any plane parallel to it intersects equal areas In both objects, then the volumes of the two objects are equal. Cavalieri's principle and method of the indivisibles are very important to understand of volume of a pyramid for gifted students.