math in the erection of public works, as well as for military constructions. Great mathematicians of this time include Simon Stevin, an engineer who introduced decimal fractions, and the surveyors, Adriaen Vlacq and Ezechiel de Decker (Struik, 1987, p. 88).
In addition, math remained important for navigation. During the late sixteenth century, one primary focus for mathematics was astronomy. It was during this period that the great theories of Copernicus, Tycho Brahe, and Kepler provided a new conception of the universe (Struik, 1987, p. 86).
With the seventeenth century and the Renaissance came an even more rapid development of the art (Struik, 1987, p. 93). This was partially due to advances in the use of machines. While machines had been known to earlier societies, the existence of slavery and the absence of an economically progressive urban life had frustrated their development. Only in the later Middle Ages did these devices come to be used in small factories, public works, and mining.
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