Part 86

+ in algebra is the sign of the real existence of the quality it stands before, and is called an affirmative, or positive sign. It is also the mark of addition, and signifies, that the numbers, or quantities on each side of it are added together.

- This is the note of negation, negative existence, or non-entity. It is the sign of subtraction, and signifies, that the numbers, or quantities which come after it, are to be taken from the numbers, or quantities which stand before it. As + signifies a positive or affirmative quantity, or absolute number, so - signifies a fictitious or negative number or quantity. Thus -3, is 8 times less than nothing. So that any number or quantity with the sign + being added to the same number, or quantity with the sign -, their sum will be equal to nothing. Thus 8 added to -8 is equal to 0, but -8 taken from + 8, is equal to 16.

× is the sign of multiplication. It signifies into, or multiplied by.

÷ is the mark of division, and signifies, that the numbers, or quantities before it are to be divided by the numbers after it.

= are the signs of equality, and signify, that the quantities and numbers on the one side of it are equal to the quantities and numbers on the other.

√ is the sign of radicality, and shews (according to the index of the power that is set over or after it) the square, cube, or other root, that is extracted, or is to be so, out of any quantity.

∛ is the sign of the cube root, and signifies the extraction of it, as in the square root above.

∺ is the sign of continued, or geometrical proportion.

∷ is the mark of geometrical proportion disjunct, and is usually placed between two pair of equal ratio’s; as 3 : 6 ∷ 4 : 8, shews, that 3 is to 6, as 4 is to 8. Or a : b ∷ d : e, and are thus read, as a is to b, so is d to e, &c.

> or ⫍ are signs of majority; thus a > b expresses that a is greater than b.

< or ⫎ are signs of minority; and when we would denote that a is less than b, we write a < b, or a ⫎ b, &c.

± signifies more, or less such a quantity, and is used often in the extraction of roots, completing of squares, &c.

Artillery-CHARACTERS, most generally used, are as follow:

C. qr. lb. which signifies centners, or hundreds of 112 pounds, qr. quarters of 28 pounds, lb. pounds of 16 ounces avoirdupois. Thus a piece of artillery with 14 c. 3 q. 16 lb., is 14 hundred, 3 quarters, and 16 pounds.

Pr. signifies pounder. Thus 24 pr. is a 24 pounder.

T. C. qr. lb. signifies tons, hundreds, quarters, pounds; and 28 lb. is one quarter: 4 qr. is one centner, or 112 pounds; and 20 C. or cwt. is one ton.

lb. oz. dr. means, pounds, ounces and drams: 16 dr. is one ounce, and 16 oz. is one pound avoirdupois.

lb. oz. dwts. gr. is pounds, ounces, penny-weights, and grains; of which 24 gr. make one penny-weight, 20 dwt. make one ounce, and 12 oz. one pound of troy-weight.

CHARACTERS in fire-works, are the following.

M Meal-powder. Э Corned powder. Ө Saltpetre. Z Brimstone. C Z Crude Sulphur. C + Carbon or charcoal. C S Sea-Coal. B R Beech raspings. S X Steel or iron filings. B X Brass-dust. G X Glass-dust. T X Tanners dust. C I Cast-iron. C A Crude antimony. ♓ Camphor. A Y Yellow amber. L S Lapis calaminaris. ᘏ Gum. B L Lamp-black. G I Ising-glass. W Spirit of wine. S T Spirit of turpentine. P O Oil of spike.

CHARACTERS, used in the arithmetic of infinites, are dots over letters, denoting the character of an infinitesimal, or fluxion. Thus the first fluxions of x, y, z, being marked thus, ẋ, ẏ, ż; the second are ẍ, ÿ, z̈, and the third

.: :. :. x, y, z.

Geographical CHARACTERS, are °, ′, ″, ‴ &c. which signify degrees, minutes, seconds, thirds. Thus 40°, 55′, 18″, 55‴, is read 40 degrees, 35 minutes, 18 seconds, 55 thirds. It is also used in the elevation of pieces of artillery.

Characters. See GUNPOWDER.

CHARBON, See AIGREMORE.

CHARGE, Fr. The French technically use this term in two different senses, viz. charge precipitée and charge à volonté. Charge precipitée is given when the four times are expressly marked, as chargez vos armes, un, deux, trois, quatre; and applies chiefly to the drill. Charge à volonté is executed in the same manner as the charge precipitée, with this difference, that the soldiers do not wait for the specific words.

CHARGES for field guns.

lbs. 42 Prs. med and heavy for Rnd. Shot 4 Case 3¹⁄₂ 12 Prs. Light Round Shot 3 Case 3 6 Prs. Desaguliers Round Shot 2¹⁄₄ Case 2 6 Prs. Medium Round Shot 2 Case 6 Prs. light Round Shot 1¹⁄₂ Case 1¹⁄₄ 3 Prs. Heavy Round Shot 1 Case 3 Prs. Light Round 12 oz.