Napier, << NAY pee uhr or nuh PEER, >> John (1550-1617), Laird of Merchiston, was a Scottish mathematician. He developed methods of rapid calculation, which he sought to apply to astronomy, trigonometry, navigation, mapmaking, and surveying. Napier discovered how to multiply numbers by doing the easier task of adding other, corresponding numbers that he called logarithms (see Logarithms ). Logarithms are used to describe mathematically many natural phenomena. Napier also invented a set of “rods” or “bones” that could be arranged for arithmetical calculations. He was born near Edinburgh, Scotland. He died on April 4, 1617.
