Library Catalog
On the Shelf at CCBC Libraries
Pythagoras' Legacy by
As the famous Pythagorean statement reads, "Number rules the universe", and its veracity is proven in the many mathematical discoveries that have accelerated the development of science, engineering, and even philosophy. A so called "art of the mind", mathematics has guided and stimulated manyaspects of human innovation down through the centuries.In this book, Marcel Danesi presents a historical overview of the ten greatest achievements in mathematics, and dynamically explores their importance and effects on our daily lives. Considered as a chain of events rather than isolated incidents, Danesi takes us from the beginnings of modern daymathematics with Pythagoras, through the concept of zero, right the way up to modern computational algorithms.Loaded with thought-provoking practical exercises and puzzles, Pythagoras' Legacy allows the reader to apply their knowledge and discover the significance of mathematics in their everyday lives.
Call Number: QA21 .D36 2020
Math Makers by
Mathematics today is the fruit of centuries of brilliant insights by men and women whose personalities and life experiences were often as extraordinary as their mathematical achievements. This entertaining history of mathematics chronicles those achievements through fifty short biographies that bring these great thinkers to life while making their contributions understandable to readers with little math background. Among the fascinating characters profiled are Isaac Newton (1642-1727), the founder of classical physics and infinitesimal calculus--he frequently quarreled with fellow scientists and was obsessed by alchemy and arcane Bible interpretation; Sophie Germain (1776 - 1831), who studied secretly at the cole Polytechnique in Paris, using the name of a previously enrolled male student--she is remembered for her work on Fermat's Last Theorem and on elasticity theory; Emmy Noether (1882 - 1935), whom Albert Einstein described as the most important woman in the history of mathematics--she made important contributions to abstract algebra and in physics she clarified the connection between conservation laws and symmetry; and Srinivasa Ramanujan (1887-1920), who came from humble origins in India and had almost no formal training, yet made substantial contributions to mathematical analysis, number theory, infinite series, and continued fractions. The unusual behavior and life circumstances of these and many other intriguing personalities make for fascinating reading and a highly enjoyable introduction to mathematics.
Call Number: QA28 .P67 2020
A Curious History of Mathematics by
Because learning the language of mathematics can be daunting, many people abandon the attempt as soon as they leave school, missing out on the beauty and mystery of the Empress of the Sciences. Now, Joel Levy opens new doors into this amazing world. By taking a historical perspective, he explains how mathematical science advanced through the ages, introducing the most important concepts--from simple arithmetic, through algebra, trigonometry, geometry, and calculus, up to chaos and infinity theory--in understandable, nontechnical language.
Call Number: QA21 .L48 2013
The History of Mathematics by
Mathematics is a fundamental human activity that can be practised and understood in a multitude of ways; indeed, mathematical ideas themselves are far from being fixed, but are adapted and changed by their passage across periods and cultures. In this Very Short Introduction, Jacqueline Stedallexplores the rich historical and cultural diversity of mathematical endeavour from the distant past to the present day.Arranged thematically, to exemplify the varied contexts in which people have learned, used, and handed on mathematics, she also includes illustrative case studies drawn from a range of times and places, including early imperial China, the medieval Islamic world, and nineteenth-centuryBritain.
Call Number: QA21 .S828 2012
A History of Mathematics by
The updated new edition of the classic and comprehensive guideto the history of mathematics For more than forty years, A History of Mathematics hasbeen the reference of choice for those looking to learn about thefascinating history of humankind?s relationship with numbers,shapes, and patterns. This revised edition features up-to-datecoverage of topics such as Fermat?s Last Theorem and thePoincaré Conjecture, in addition to recent advances inareas 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, fromAncient Egypt to the present Includes up-to-date references and an extensive chronologicaltable of mathematical and general historical developments. Whether you're interested in the age of Plato and Aristotle orPoincaré and Hilbert, whether you want to know more about thePythagorean theorem or the golden mean, A History ofMathematics is an essential reference that will help youexplore the incredible history of mathematics and the men and womenwho created it.
Call Number: QA21 .M47 2011
Websites
- The History of Mathematics
by G. Donald Allen, Texas A&M University
Podcasts
- A Brief History of Mathematics
from BBC Radio 4
Online Articles
- How modern mathematics emerged from a lost Islamic library
BBC Future, December 7, 2020
Online From CCBC Libraries
The History of Mathematics by
This intriguing volume introduces readers to the origins of the mathematical principles they study every day. It covers a wide range of disciplines outlined in curriculum standards and serves as an illuminating companion to their current studies. Readers will learn about the brilliant minds behind some of the breakthroughs in mathematics. They will also enjoy the origin stories of the different disciplines in the field we're so familiar with today. The study of math should go beyond numbers, and this book certainly accomplishes that by giving readers insight into how mathematics came to be.
Publication Date: 2017
An Episodic History of Mathematics by
An Episodic History of Mathematics delivers a series of snapshots of the history of mathematics from ancient times to the twentieth century. The intent is not to be an encyclopedic history of mathematics, but to give the reader a sense of mathematical culture and history. The book abounds with stories, and personalities play a strong role. The book will introduce readers to some of the genesis of mathematical ideas. Mathematical history is exciting and rewarding, and is a significant slice of the intellectual pie. A good education consists of learning different methods of discourse, and certainly mathematics is one of the most well-developed and important modes of discourse that we have. The focus in this text is on getting involved with mathematics and solving problems. Every chapter ends with a detailed problem set that will provide the student with many avenues for exploration and many new entrees into the subject.
Publication Date: 2010
Databases
- Science Database
Articles on both the applied and general sciences like aerospace, computers, transportation, and biology.