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The Infinite in the ­Infinite

Rating
Format
Hardback, 544 pages
Published
United Kingdom, 26 October 1995

A conversation between Euclid and the ghost of Socrates...the paths of the sun and moon charted by the stone-circle builders of ancient Europe...the Babylonian method of counting in base sixty that gave us measurements of space and time that we still use today ...these stories and many others illustrate this unique and exciting book that tell the history of mathematics through the ages. Combining historical fact with a retelling of ancient myths and legends, Alistair Wilson introduces mathematical concepts and processes in a way that will totally disarm the reader who fears mathematics. Showing how mathematics arose out of the problems of everyday life he introduces geometry, propositional logic, prime numbers, quadratic equations, the Fibonacci sequences, remainder theorem, trigonometry, and much more. Each chapter contains a mathematical case study where the mathematics is applied to the problems of the era; the building of the pyramids, the prediction of eclipses, or the calculation of pi. Readers will see clearly the relevance and usefulness of the newly developed mathematics that they may never have seen before.


Alistair Wilson has worked as an astrophysicist for NASA, lectured in physics at Curtin University, Western Australia, and is currently a freelance writer and teacher living in Perth.

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Product Description

A conversation between Euclid and the ghost of Socrates...the paths of the sun and moon charted by the stone-circle builders of ancient Europe...the Babylonian method of counting in base sixty that gave us measurements of space and time that we still use today ...these stories and many others illustrate this unique and exciting book that tell the history of mathematics through the ages. Combining historical fact with a retelling of ancient myths and legends, Alistair Wilson introduces mathematical concepts and processes in a way that will totally disarm the reader who fears mathematics. Showing how mathematics arose out of the problems of everyday life he introduces geometry, propositional logic, prime numbers, quadratic equations, the Fibonacci sequences, remainder theorem, trigonometry, and much more. Each chapter contains a mathematical case study where the mathematics is applied to the problems of the era; the building of the pyramids, the prediction of eclipses, or the calculation of pi. Readers will see clearly the relevance and usefulness of the newly developed mathematics that they may never have seen before.


Alistair Wilson has worked as an astrophysicist for NASA, lectured in physics at Curtin University, Western Australia, and is currently a freelance writer and teacher living in Perth.

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Product Details
EAN
9780198539506
ISBN
0198539509
Other Information
halftones, numerous line figures, tables
Dimensions
23.9 x 16.1 x 3.6 centimeters (0.93 kg)

Table of Contents

1: Symphonies of stone
2: The pyramid builders
3: The Theban Mysteries
4: Babylon
5: The Middle Kingdom
6: The Achaeans
7: A World made of numbers
8: The thoughts of Zeus
9: The philosopher's criticism
10: The Elements of Euclid
11: An island interlude
12: Proportion
13: The Divine Archimedes
14: Apollonius the great geometer
15: The science of numbers
16: The School of Alexandria
17: The dark subcontinent of India
18: The contribution of Islam
Index

About the Author

Alistair Wilson has worked as an astrophysicist for NASA, lectured in physics at Curtin University, Western Australia, and is currently a freelance writer and teacher living in Perth.

Reviews

`Alistair Wilson has the admirable aim of popularising mathematics through its history... he makes his points well in a clear and stimulating style.' New Scientist, 4 November 1995
`The author has woven together a broad historical backgrounding and some fairly detailed but accessible mathematics in a most exciting way.' John Fauvel, author of Let Newton Be!
...both readable and unusual... The book has many virtues. The technique of introducing an interesting piece of mathematics by means of a historical tale works rather well.... I'm inclined to characterise this book as one that will help people who are attracted to mathematics get to grips with history, rather than one that will help people who are attracted to history get to grips with mathematics - but whichever it is, it is a brave and largely successful
attempt to weave both subjects together in an entertaining and informative manner. s
`one of the most lively and entertaining histories of mathematics that I have come across.It is ideal for those with mathematics phobia, for the author's nimble and gentle touch is sure to allay even the fears of congential haters of mathematics.'
Endeavour
`A book to be read and enjoyed ...'
Aslib Book Guide, vol.61, no.9, September 1996.
`The clear, vivid style will attract readers.'
E Knobloch, Zbl. Math, 847/96.

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