Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Dover Publications (1985), Edition: Illustrated., Paperback, 641 pages
Description
Erudite and entertaining overview follows development of mathematics from ancient Greeks, through Middle Ages and Renaissance to the present. Chapters focus on logic and mathematics, the number, the fundamental concept, differential calculus, the theory of probability, and much more. Exercises and problems.
User reviews
LibraryThing member rubati
An excellent book on the cultural and intellectual relevance of mathematics. It truly shows the beauty of mathematics via its proofs, system and also by locating it squarely within a human culture.
As a Christian, I was particularly inspired by his account of how the early mathematical physicists
This was the book that inspired me to take up mathematics as my major, thus, four stars for its engaging style.
As a Christian, I was particularly inspired by his account of how the early mathematical physicists
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(Newton, Descartes, Kepler, etc) combined Christian tenents with greek philosophy to search for the Laws of Nature. With the christian faith that God created and designed the universe beautifully, and with greek rationalism in the beauty of mathematical order, the early physicist synthesize the two world-views to arrive at the conclusion that therefore the universe must have a mathematical order since the universe was made beautifully by a rational God and the mathematical order was the highest beauty. Therefore, their search for the Laws of Nature was grounded in the faith of God's design.This was the book that inspired me to take up mathematics as my major, thus, four stars for its engaging style.
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LibraryThing member yapete
An engaging discussion of many areas of mathematics for the mathematically interested, but not necessarily initiated reader. Many fun anecdotes, examples and applications. Also a great tool for teaching mathematics.
LibraryThing member jcrben
Excellent book. Been rereading it for the past few days and researching more background on the internet this time. Although I can't remember all of it, I'm finding it easier to understand now that I'm more mature and have a few more advanced math classes under my belt.
Some wordiness could likely be
Some wordiness could likely be
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trimmed and the proof explanations could be dumbed down just a bit more since it is for "nonmathematicians". For example, the concise introduction to Euclidean geometry is quite understandable, but I could see other nonmathemiticans being puzzled by it. Show Less
Subjects
Language
Original publication date
1967
Physical description
641 p.; 8.5 inches
ISBN
0486248232 / 9780486248233
Local notes
Alt. title: Mathematics for Liberal Arts. Series: Dover books explaining science