Math Mysteries: Proving Volume Equality

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The discussion centers on the historical understanding of the volume equality between a cone, sphere, and cylinder, attributed to Archimedes' balancing argument in "The Method." Participants express confusion about comparing infinite series and the mathematical notation involving colons and vertical dashes. Clarification is needed on how to determine if one infinite series is larger than another, with a suggestion that precalculus and calculus knowledge is essential for deeper understanding. The conversation highlights the challenge of grasping ancient mathematical concepts without modern calculus tools. Overall, the thread emphasizes the complexity of these mathematical proofs and their historical context.
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The first is how did he figure out that the volume of a cone and a sphere is equal to that of a cylinder?

How do you prove that some infinite series are larger than others?

What does : and the verticle dash mean again?
 
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dracobook said:
The first is how did he figure out that the volume of a cone and a sphere is equal to that of a cylinder?

How do you prove that some infinite series are larger than others?

What does : and the verticle dash mean again?

1. How did who figure it out? Archimedes?

2. I don't- I don't even know how to compare the size of series. Do you mean that the sum of some infinite series is larger than the sum of others?

3. The vertical dash may have many meanings depending on the context.
(Odd, I don't remember having told you that before.)
 
In order to understand the awnser to those quesions dracobook you'll need precalculus and calculus. Exept I really ignore how the Greeks calculated the volume and area of a sphere without calculus.
 
As to 1., if I remember correctly, Archimedes made a clever "balancing argument" for this in his work "The Method"(?).
 
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