Mathematical Masterpieces
Further Chronicles by the Explorers
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Beschreibung
Experience the discovery of mathematics by reading the original work of some of the greatest minds throughout history. Here are the stories of four mathematical adventures, including the Bernoulli numbers as the passage between discrete and continuous phenomena, the search for numerical solutions to equations throughout time, the discovery of curvature and geometric space, and the quest for patterns in prime numbers. Each story is told through the words of the pioneers of mathematical thought. Particular advantages of the historical approach include providing context to mathematical inquiry, perspective to proposed conceptual solutions, and a glimpse into the direction research has taken. The text is ideal for an undergraduate seminar, independent reading, or a capstone course, and offers a wealth of student exercises with a prerequisite of at most multivariable calculus.
This book traces the historical development of four different mathematical concepts by presenting readers with the original sources, yielding the rewards of a deeper understanding of the subject, an appreciation of the details, and a glimpse into the direction research has taken. Each chapter showcases a masterpiece of mathematical achievement, anchored around a sequence of selected primary sources. The authors begin by studying the interplay between the discrete and continuous, with a focus on sums of powers. They proceed to the development of algorithms for finding numerical solutions of equations as developed by Newton, Simpson and Smale. Next they explore our modern understanding of curvature, with its roots in the emerging calculus of the 17th century, while the final chapter ends with an exploration of the elusive properties of prime numbers, and the patterns found therein. The book includes exercises, numerous historical photographs, and an annotated bibliography.
This text has been developed and class tested for over 15 years Uses original sources to teach the history of mathematics Heavily illustrated with line drawings and half-tones, and each chapter is accompanied by exercises Each chapter is self-contained and could be used independently Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras
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Art Knoebel
Themen in »Mathematical Masterpieces«
Isaac Newton Mathematica Prime Prime number algorithms calculus curvature patterns
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From the reviews:
"This book is closely related to courses of mathematics held for students at New Mexico State University … . An important aspect of the book is the numerous exercises, which should help students to gain a deeper insight into the presented material. Numerous references and well-organized indices make the book easy to use. It can be recommended for university libraries and students with an interest in the history of mathematics presented from a modern point of view." (EMS Newsletter, September, 2008)
"This book consists of four chapters, each of which presents a ‘sequence of selected primary sources’ leading up to a ‘masterpiece of mathematical achievement’. … Each chapter contains … lots of historical comments sketching the further development of the topic. There are also a lot of exercises. … This is a well written and entertaining book that can (and should) be used in seminars or reading courses." (Franz Lemmermeyer, Zentralblatt MATH, Vol. 1140, 2008)
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