More Details on the Horizontal Fraction Bar and
Why 153 Was so Prominent in Archimedes’ Work
The fraction below is thought of as one value for
one number.
265
▬▬
153
The denominator, 153, is perceived as only one part
of that one number. This would be even more so if we to consider a
fraction such as
½
in terms of its decimal equivalent. However, the horizontal
fraction bar as well as the decimal system did not come to the West
until the 12th Century. So, in the time of Archimedes, as
well as during the time the Gospel of John was being written the
fraction above would have to had been written as a ratio of TWO
different numbers such as 265:153. Written this way 153 is thought of
as ONE number. It is true, this is a difference of perception and form
more so than of substance, but when we are talking about communicating
an idea as John was doing in 21:11 without explicitly stating that idea,
perception is everything.
This idea of ratios, and TWO distinct numbers, is
even more obvious when we examine
Archimedes’ work on Pi as it is completely based on the mathematical
properties of ratios. So, Archimedes work on Pi involves a long list
ratios, that is, a long list of values, or numbers written in linear
form. And his nine equations end with the final number of 153.
Therefore, 153 is most prominent and it becomes an easy way for St. John
to allude to the wisdom of Archimedes.
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