The History of Mathematics: A Reader - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0333427912 ISBN 13: 9780333427910

Publisher: Red Globe Press, 1987

Synopsis

This selection of nineteen chapters aims to bring together a sample of the wealth of evidence of past mathematical practice, and show the role mathematics has played in culture and belief. These readings intend to show the nature and development of mathematics from earliest times to the twentieth century. It includes not only formal mathematical texts and discussions by historians of mathematics, but also letters between mathematicians, diary entries, and biographical judgements.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

In 1922 Barnes Wallis, who later invented the bouncing bomb immortalized in the movie The Dam Busters, fell in love for the first and last time, aged 35. The object of his affection, Molly Bloxam, was 17 and setting off to study science at University College London. Her father decreed that the two could correspond only if Barnes taught Molly mathematics in his letters.
Mathematics with Love presents, for the first time, the result of this curious dictat: a series of witty, tender and totally accessible introductions to calculus, trigonometry and electrostatic induction that remarkably, wooed and won the girl. Deftly narrated by Barnes and Molly's daughter Mary, Mathematics with Love is an evocative tale of a twenties courtship, a surprising insight into the early life of a World War Two hero, and a great way to learn a little mathematics.

About this edition

• Publisher: Red Globe Press
• Publication date: 1987
• ISBN 10: 0333427912
• ISBN 13: 9780333427910
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 656
• Editor: Fauvel John, Gray Jeremy