DIOPHANTUS, a native of Alexandria, the exact date of whose birth is unknown, some authors asserting that be lived in the reign of Augustus, whilst others place him under Nero, or even the Antonines. The fact is that we do not know when he lived. He lived however, as is well ascertained, to eighty-four years of age.
Diophantus left behind him thirteen books of 'Arithmetical Ques tions,' of which however only six are extant ; but from their distinct and peculiar character, in comparison with all the other writings of the Greek mathematicians, these books have given rise to much dis cussion. It is however scarcely to be conceived that whilst the cumbrous machinery of common language constituted the sole instru ment of investigation, the very curious conclusions which we find in this work could have resulted from the researches of one single mind. To suppose that Diophantus was the inventor of the analysis which bears his name, is so contrary to all analogy with experience and the history of mental phenomena, as to be utterly impossible to admit.
Still, if we inquire into the history of this branch of analysis, and ask who were the predecessors of Diophantus, or whether they were Greeks or Hindus, no satisfactory answer can be given. The question whether Diophanton was the original inventor, or whether he derived tho original suggestion from India, will be noticed under VIQA CUNITA.
Diophantus also wrote a book on Polygon Numbers' (srepl wohiry(vvon, bm6acZy). Heimann published at Basel, in 1575, folio, a Latin translation of both the works of Diophantus. The first Greek edition was by Meziriac, Paris, 1621, folio ; an improved edition of Meziriac's edition was published by S. de Fermat, Toulouse, 1670, folio. A valuable translation of the ' Arithmetical Questions' into German was published by Otto Schulz, Berlin, 1822, 8vo ; to which is added Poselger's translation of the work no Polygon Numbers.'