The Sand Reckoner

Archimedes of Syracuse

Archimedes' The Sand Reckoner (Psammites) was written around 240 BCE. In this work, Archimedes estimates the number of grains of sand that could fit in the universe, challenging the idea that such large numbers were impossible to calculate. He also discusses the heliocentric model proposed by Aristarchus of Samos and demonstrates his understanding of la…