Model of Maxima and Minima after Peano, by Richard P. Baker, Baker #542

Object Details

Baker, Richard P.

Description

This model was constructed by Richard P. Baker in the early twentieth century when he was on the faculty in mathematics at the University of Iowa. Baker believed that models were essential for the teaching of many parts of mathematics and physics, and over one hundred of his models are in the museum collections.

This model is made of plaster with a wooden base and sides. A tag reads: No. 542. Maxima and Minima.

According to Baker's 1931 catalog, the model is for teaching calculus of several variables. It illustrates ideas about maxima and minima of surfaces developed by the Italian mathematician Giuseppe Peano. To quote the catalog, “The surface: z=(y² - ax) (y<² - bx), has all normal sections at the origin with a minimum but the surface without.”

The model came to the Smithsonian in about 1956.

References:

Baker, R.P., Mathematical Models, Iowa City, 1931, p. 7.

Emsch, Arnold, “A Model for the Peano Surface,” American Mathematical Monthly, 1922, 29 #10, pp. 388-391. The models of the Peano surface made by Emsch, by Martin Schilling (see http://modellsammlung.uni-goettingen.de/index.php?r=7&sr=32&m=443&lang=en as well as http://www.math.tu-dresden.de/modellsammlung/karte.php?ID=341) and by Rudolf Stoll (see http://www.math.tu-dresden.de/modellsammlung/karte.php?ID=314) are not identical with this one by Baker.

Location

Currently not on view

Credit Line

Gift of Frances E. Baker

ca 1906-1935

ID Number

MA.211257.110

accession number

211257

catalog number

211257.110

Object Name

geometric model

Physical Description

plaster (overall material)

wood (overall material)

metal (overall material)

black (overall color)

white (overall color)

plaster cast. screwed to base. (overall production method/technique)

Measurements

average spatial: 11.8 cm x 15.1 cm x 15.1 cm; 4 21/32 in x 5 15/16 in x 5 15/16 in

See more items in

Medicine and Science: Mathematics

Science & Mathematics

National Museum of American History

Subject

Mathematics

Record ID

nmah_1087398

Metadata Usage (text)

CC0

GUID (Link to Original Record)

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a9-3928-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa