The first to calculate vs first calculated

[Jaume Ripoll]

Which of the two sentences below you think is the most appropriate? Do they have the same meaning?

Radhanath Sikhdar was the first to calculate that this peak in the Himalayan peak stood taller than any other mountain in the world.

Radhanath Sikhdar first calculated that this peak in the Himalayan range stood taller than any other mountain in the world.

Thank you.

 

[bhaisahab]

Which of the two sentences below you think is the most appropriate? Do they have the same meaning?

Radhanath Sikhdar was the first to calculate that this peak in the Himalayan range stood taller than any other mountain in the world.

Radhanath Sikhdar first calculated that this peak in the Himalayan range stood taller than any other mountain in the world.

Thank you.

They are both OK.

 

[BobK]

:up: But they have different applications. The first is about which geometer was first to calculate.... The second is a simple assertion that RS did. It would usually be followed by a statement of time: 'RS first calculated... in <date>, but he did not announce his findings until <later-date>.'


b

 

[Jaume Ripoll]

The first sentence meaning is clear to me. About the second one, I don't know wether it means that " Radhanath Sikhdar was the first man in history to calculate the height of Everest" or that "The first thing Radhanath Sikhdar did when he came to Himalaya was to calculate the height of Everest".

 

[Tdol]

"Radhanath Sikhdar was the first man in history to calculate the height of Everest" :tick:

"The first thing Radhanath Sikhdar did when he came to Himalaya was to calculate the height of Everest" :cross: