​NUNEZ, PEDRO (Petrus Nonius) (1492-1577), Portuguese mathematician and geographer, was born at Alcacer do Sal, and died at Coimbra, where he was professor of mathematics. He published several works, including a copiously-annotated translation of portions of Ptolemy (1537), and a treatise in two books, De arte atque ratione navigandi (1546). His clear statement of the scientific equipment of the early Portuguese explorers has become famous. A complete edition of all his writings appeared at Basel in 1592.

See F. de B. Garcao-Stockler, Ensaio historic sobre a origem e progresses das malhemalicas em Portugal (Paris, 1819); R. H. Major, Prince Henry the Navigator (London. 1868, p. 55).