MATH 419 Historical Perspectives of Mathematics: Home

The updated new edition of the classic and comprehensive guide to the history of mathematics For more than forty years, A History of Mathematics has been the reference of choice for those looking to learn about the fascinating history of humankind's relationship with numbers, shapes, and patterns. This revised edition features up-to-date coverage of topics such as Fermat's Last Theorem and the Poincaré Conjecture, in addition to recent advances in areas such as finite group theory and computer-aided proofs. Distills thousands of years of mathematics into a single, approachable volume Covers mathematical discoveries, concepts, and thinkers, from Ancient Egypt to the present Includes up-to-date references and an extensive chronological table of mathematical and general historical developments. Whether you're interested in the age of Plato and Aristotle or Poincaré and Hilbert, whether you want to know more about the Pythagorean theorem or the golden mean, A History of Mathematics is an essential reference that will help you explore the incredible history of mathematics and the men and women who created it.

"This book is the result of a study in which the authors identified all of the American women who earned PhD's in mathematics before 1940, and collected extensive biographical and bibliographical information about each of them. By reconstructing as complete a picture as possible of this group of women, Green and LaDuke reveal insights into the larger scientific and cultural communities in which they lived and worked." "The book contains an extended introductory essay, as well as biographical entries for each of the 228 women in the study. The authors examine family backgrounds, education, careers, and other professional activities. They show that there were many more women earning PhD's in mathematics before 1940 than is commonly thought." "The material will be of interest to researchers, teachers, and students in mathematics, history of mathematics, history of science, women's studies, and sociology."--BOOK JACKET.

"The only book of its kind, From Five Fingers to Infinity is an absorbing, entertaining, user-friendly account of one of the greatest adventures in human thought. It is a global survey of the history of mathematics, suitable for readers with no background in math as well as for the more informed reader or teacher." "This work tells the astonishing story of the history of mathematics in 114 popular articles, presented in a chronological and thematic manner, with numerous illustrations. It can be read straight through, but is also ideal for dipping into. The articles are culled from the best and most approachable pieces ever written in this field; some are by such leading writers as Carl Boyer, Howard Eves, Morris Kline, and Dirk Struik. Others are real gems by lesser-known writers, which Frank Swetz has found in his exhaustive search of the literature." "Among the distinctive features of this volume: discussions of the mathematical accomplishments of traditional peoples, Native Americans, and others, not usually treated in histories of mathematics; actual translations from early and epoch-making mathematical texts; a comprehensive review of Babylonian mathematical achievements; sensitivity to the social and cultural context of mathematical endeavors; over 300 relevant, provocative, and helpful illustrations, and 18 historical exhibits; illuminating introductions and pointers and extensive bibliographical information; and each article short and self-contained."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

A monumental 4-volume reference, 15 years in the making, The World of Mathematics was specially designed to make mathematics more accessible to the inexperienced.

v. 1. Logic, theory of sets and quantum mechanics--v. 2. Operators, ergodic theory and almost periodic functions in a group--v. 3. Rings of operators--v. 4. Continuous geometry and other topics--v. 5. Design of computers, theory of automata and numerical analysis--v. 6. Theory of games, astrophysics, hydrodynamics and meteorology

Immanuel Kant's Critique of Pure Reason is widely taken to be the starting point of the modern period of mathematics while David Hilbert was the last great mainstream mathematician to pursue important nineteenth century ideas. This two-volume work provides an overview of this important era ofmathematical research through a carefully chosen selection of articles. They provide an insight into the foundations of each of the main branches of mathematics-algebra, geometry, number theory, analysis, logic, and set theory-with narratives to show how they are linked. Classic works by Bolzano,Riemann, Hamilton, Dedekind, and Poincare are reproduced in reliable translations and many selections from writers such as Gauss, Cantor, Kronecker, and Zermelo are here translated for the first time. The collection is an invaluable source for anyone wishing to gain an understanding of thefoundation of modern mathematics. From reviews of the hardback: '...well prepared and paves the way to a profound study of the concerned subject.' E. Knobloch in Zentrallblatt fur Mathematik. '...the book is a wide-ranging and substantial contribution to the accessibility of writings on thefoundation of various branches of mathematics.' I. Grattan-Guinness in History and Philosophy of Logic.