On Oct 28, 2010, at 8:21 AM, Karshner, Gary wrote:
Our twenty twenty hindsight often distorts the way we perceive history.
yeah, I should have guessed that. ;)
as others pointed out, the geometrical methods primarily use ratios and the constant wouldn't come in. it is interesting to imagine how one *might* estimate it, given only materials available in Newton's time. clearly, if he felt no need (his methods produced useful results without needing it), it is likely he never estimated the quantity.