PREFACE. THE present work is constructed on the same plan as the author's Algebra for Beginners and Trigonometry for Beginners; and is intended as a companion to them. It is divided into short Chapters, and a collection of Examples follows each Chapter. Some of these examples are original, and others have been selected from College and University Examination papers. The work forms an elementary treatise on demonstrative mechanics. It may be true that this part of mixed mathematics has been sometimes made too abstract and speculative; but it can hardly be doubted that a knowledge of the elements at least of the theory of the subject is extremely valuable even for those who are mainly concerned with practical results. The author has accordingly endeavoured to provide a suitable introduction to the study of applied as well as of theoretical Mechanics. The demonstrations will, it is hoped, be found simple and convincing. Great care has been taken to arrange them so as to assume the smallest possible knowledge of pure mathematics, and to furnish the clearest illustration of mechanical principles. At the same time there has been no sacrifice of exactness; so that the beginner may here obtain a solid foundation for his future studies: afterwards he will only have to increase his knowledge without rejecting what he originally acquired. The ex |