The millennium problems: the seven greatest unsolved mathematical puzzles of our time

Devlin, Keith J.

ISBN 10: 0465017290 / ISBN 13: 9780465017294

Published by Basic Books, New York, 2002

About this Item

x, 237 pages illustrations 24 cm. Dust jacket has one small nick at fold. Includes bibliographical references (pages [229]-230) and index. ; 1st printing.

Seller Inventory # 11012506

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The millennium problems: the seven greatest unsolved mathematical puzzles of our time
• Publisher: Basic Books, New York
• Publication Date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0465017290
• ISBN 13: 9780465017294
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Very good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Very good
• Seller catalogs:
  • Mathematics

About this title

Synopsis

In 2000, the Clay Foundation of Cambridge, Massachusetts, announced a historic competition: whoever could solve any of seven extraordinarily difficult mathematical problems, and have the solution acknowledged as correct by the experts, would receive 1 million in prize money. There was some precedent for doing this: in 1900 David Hilbert, one of the greatest mathematicians of his day, proposed twenty-three problems, now known as the Hilbert Problems, that set much of the agenda for mathematics in the twentieth century. The Millennium Problems are likely to acquire similar stature, and their solution (or lack of one) is likely to play a strong role in determining the course of mathematics in the current century. Keith Devlin, renowned expositor of mathematics, tells here what the seven problems are, how they came about, and what they mean for math and science.These problems are the brass rings held out to today's mathematicians, glittering and just out of reach. In the hands of Keith Devlin, "the Math Guy" from NPR's "Weekend Edition," each Millennium Problem becomes a fascinating window onto the deepest and toughest questions in the field. For mathematicians, physicists, engineers, and everyone else with an interest in mathematics' cutting edge, The Millennium Problems is the definitive account of a subject that will have a very long shelf life.

About the Author

Keith Devlin is the Executive Director of the Center for the Study of Language and Information at Stanford University. He lives in Palo Alto, California.