John Stillwell

Mathematics and Its History (eBook, PDF)

• Format: PDF

Produktbeschreibung

From the reviews of the first edition:

"There are many books on the history of mathematics in which mathematics is subordinated to history. This is a book in which history is definitely subordinated to mathematics. It can be described as a collection of critical historical essays dealing with a large variety of mathematical disciplines and issues, and intended for a broad audience...we know of no book on mathematics and its history that covers half as much nonstandard material. Even when dealing with standard material, Stillwell manages to dramatize it and to make it worth rethinking. In short, his book is a splendid addition to the genre of works that build royal roads to mathematical culture for the many." (Mathematical Intelligencer)

"The discussion is at a deep enough level that I suspect most trained mathematicians will find much that they do not know, as well as good intuitive explanations of familiar facts. The careful exposition, lightness of touch, and the absence of technicalities should make the book accessible to most senior undergraduates." (American Mathematical Monthly)

"...The book is a treasure, which deserves wide adoption as a text and much consultation by historians and mathematicians alike." (Physis - Revista Internazionale di Storia della Scienza)

"A beautiful little book, certain to be treasured by several generations of mathematics lovers, by students and teachers so enlightened as to think of mathematics not as a forest of technical details but as the beautiful coherent creation of a richly diverse population of extraordinary people...His writing is so luminous as to engage the interest of utter novices, yet so dense with particulars as to stimulate the imagination of professionals." (Book News, Inc.)

This second edition includes new chapters on Chinese and Indian number theory, on hypercomplex numbers, and on algebraic number theory. Many more exercises have been added, as well as commentary to the exercises expalining how they relate to the preceding section, and how they foreshadow later topics. The index has been given added structure to make searching easier, the references have been redone, and hundreds of minor improvements have been made throughout the text.

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Produktdetails

• Verlag: Springer New York
• Seitenzahl: 544
• Erscheinungstermin: 17. April 2013
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 9781468492811
• Artikelnr.: 43994523

Autorenporträt

John Stillwell is a professor of mathematics at the University of San Francisco. He is also an accomplished author, having published several books with Springer, including The Four Pillars of Geometry; Elements of Algebra; Numbers and Geometry; and many more.

Inhaltsangabe

The Theorem of Pythagoras.
Greek Geometry.
Greek Number Theory.
Infinity in Greek Mathematics.
Number Theory in Asia.
Polynomial Equations.
Analytic Geometry.
Projective Geometry.
Calculus.
Infinite Series.
The Number Theory Revival.
Elliptic Functions.
Mechanics.
Complex Numbers in Algebra.
Complex Numbers and Curves.
Complex Numbers and Functions.
Differential Geometry.
Non
Euclidean Geometry.
Group Theory.
Hypercomplex Numbers.
Algebraic Number Theory.
Topology.
Simple Groups.
Sets, Logic, and Computation.
Combinatorics.

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1. The Theorem of Pythagoras.- 2. Greek Geometry.- 3. Greek Number Theory.- 4. Infinity in Greek Mathematics.- 5. Polynomial Equations.- 6. Algebraic Geometry.- 7. Projective Geometry.- 8. Calculus.- 9. Infinite Series.- 10. Elliptic Curves and Functions.- 11. Complex Numbers and Curves.- 12. Complex Numbers and Functions.- 13. Non-Euclidean Geometries.- 14. Group Theory.- 15. Topology.- 16. Commutative Algebra.- 17. Sets, Logic, and Computation.- Bibliography.- Index.

Rezensionen

"This is a beautiful book. ... it would be fun to teach a course from it and I hope to get that chance. ... This book flows so well that I did not feel anything was lacking from it. ... I am confident that the many readers of Stillwell's work will find it satisfying and worthwhile to update their libraries with this edition. Those currently unfamiliar with his work will find this a delightful place to begin." (Michele Intermont, MAA Reviews, October 18, 2021)

"Mathematics and Its History is an original, engaging and effective book, which I think would be enjoyed by students, lay readers with the right background, or indeed mathematicians themselves." (Danny Yee, Danny Yee's Book Reviews, dannyreviews.com, March, 2019)

From the reviews of the third edition:

"The author's goal for Mathematics and its History is to provide a "bird's-eye view of undergraduate mathematics." (p. vii) In that regard it succeeds admirably. ... Mathematics and its History is a joy to read. The writing is clear, concise and inviting. The style is very different from a traditional text. ... The author has done a wonderful job of tying together the dominant themes of undergraduate mathematics. ... While Stillwell does a wonderful job of tying together seemingly unrelated areas of mathematics, it is possible to read each chapter independently. I would recommend this fine book for anyone who has an interest in the history of mathematics. For those who teach mathematics, it provides lots of information which could easily be used to enrich an opening lecture in most any undergraduate course. It would be an ideal gift for a department's outstanding major or for the math club president. Pick it up at your peril - it is hard to put down!"

(Richard Wilders, MAA Reviews)

"I appreciate and recommend Stillwell's presentation of mathematics and history written in a lively style. The author's concept (history mostly as the means of approaching mathematics) remains a matter of interest for both the mathematician and the historian ... ." (Rüdiger Thiele, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1207, 2011)

From the reviews of the second edition:

"This book covers many interesting topics not usually covered in a present day undergraduate course, as well as certain basic topics such as the development of the calculus and the solution of polynomial equations. The fact that the topics areintroduced in their historical contexts will enable students to better appreciate and understand the mathematical ideas involved...If one constructs a list of topics central to a history course, then they would closely resemble those chosen here."

(David Parrott, Australian Mathematical Society)

"The book...is presented in a lively style without unnecessary detail. It is very stimulating and will be appreciated not only by students. Much attention is paid to problems and to the development of mathematics before the end of the nineteenth century... This book brings to the non-specialist interested in mathematics many interesting results. It can be recommended for seminars and will be enjoyed by the broad mathematical community."

(European Mathematical Society)

"Since Stillwell treats many topics, most mathematicians will learn a lot from this book as well as they will find pleasant and rather clear expositions of custom materials. The book is accessible to students that have already experienced calculus, algebra and geometry and will give them a good account of how the different branches of mathematics interact."

(Denis Bonheure, Bulletin of the Belgian Society)