The inventor of the Napier Bones was John Napier.
Napier Bones are a computational device that was invented by John Napier in the early 17th century. They are a manual tool used for multiplication and division, and they were developed as an aid to calculation.
The Napier Bones consist of a series of rods or bones, usually made of wood or metal, with numbers inscribed on them. Each bone is divided into compartments, with the numbers in each compartment representing different powers of 10. The numbers in each row of bones are positioned diagonally, and when aligned properly, they allow for quick and efficient calculations.
To perform multiplication using Napier Bones, the bones corresponding to the multiplicand and multiplier are placed alongside each other, with the number compartments aligned. The intersections of the numbers are then summed up diagonally to obtain the result.
For division, Napier Bones are similar but used in a slightly different way. The divisor is placed on the top bone, and the dividend is placed below it. The quotients are obtained by looking at the numbers in each diagonal row and combining them.
The advantage of the Napier Bones is that they allow for quick and accurate calculations without the need for complex mathematical operations. They were widely used in their time, especially by merchants, accountants, and engineers, who relied on accurate calculations for their work.
Therefore, it was John Napier who invented the Napier Bones, as a valuable tool that simplified and hastened mathematical operations during the 17th century.