Overview

This is a survey, at the elementary level, of some of the most important concepts of mathematics. Attention is paid to their technical features, historical development and broader philosophical significance. Each of the various branches of mathematics is discussed separately, but their interdependence is emphasized throughout. Certain topics - such as Greek mathematics, abstract algebra, set theory, geometry and the philosophy of mathematics - are discussed in detail. Appendices outline from scratch the proofs of two of the most celebrated limitative results of mathematics: the insolubility of the problem of doubling the cube and trisecting an arbitrary angle, and the Godel incompleteness theorems. Additional appendices contain brief accounts of smooth infinitesimal analysis - a new approach to the use of infinitesimals in the calculus - and of the philosophical thought of the great 20th-century mathematician Hermann Weyl.

Full Product Details

Author:   J. Bell
Publisher:   Springer
Imprint:   Springer
Edition:   1999 ed.
Volume:   63
Dimensions:   Width: 15.50cm , Height: 1.50cm , Length: 23.50cm
Weight:   1.220kg
ISBN:  

9780792359722

ISBN 10:   0792359720
Pages:   250
Publication Date:   31 October 1999
Audience:   College/higher education ,  A / AS level ,  Undergraduate
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
This item will be ordered in for you from one of our suppliers. Upon receipt, we will promptly dispatch it out to you. For in store availability, please contact us.

Table of Contents

1 Numerals and Notation.- 2 The Mathematics of Ancient Greece.- 3 The Development of The Number Concept.- The Theory of Numbers.- Perfect Numbers.- Prime Numbers.- Sums of Powers.- Fermat?s Last Theorem.- The Number ?.- What are Numbers?.- 4 The Evolution of Algebra, I.- Greek Algebra.- Chinese Algebra.- Hindu Algebra.- Arabic Algebra.- Algebra in Europe.- The Solution of the General Equation of Degrees 3 and 4.- The Algebraic Insolubility of the General Equation of Degree Greater than 4.- Early Abstract Algebra.- 5 The Evolution of Algebra, II.- Hamilton and Quaternions.- Grassmann?s “Calculus of Extension”.- Finite Dimensional Linear Algebras.- Matrices.- Lie Algebras.- 6 The Evolution of Algebra, III.- Algebraic Numbers and Ideals.- Abstract Algebra.- Groups.- Rings and Fields.- Ordered Sets.- Lattices and Boolean Algebras.- Category Theory.- 7 The Development of Geometry, I.- Coordinate/Algebraic/Analytic Geometry.- Algebraic Curves.- Cubic Curves.- Geometric Construction Problems.- Higher Dimensional Spaces.- Noneuclidean Geometry.- 8 The Development of Geometry, II.- Projective Geometry.- Differential Geometry.- The Theory of Surfaces.- Riemann?s Conception of Geometry.- Topology.- Combinatorial Topology.- Point-set topology.- 9 The Calculus and Mathematical Analysis.- The Origins and Basic Notions of The Calculus.- Mathematical Analysis.- Infinite Series.- Differential Equations.- Complex Analysis.- 10 The Continuous and The Discrete.- 11 The Mathematics of The Infinite.- 12 The Philosophy of Mathematics.- Classical Views on the Nature of Mathematics.- Logicism.- Formalism.- Intuitionism.- Appendix 1 The Insolubility of Some Geometric Construction Problems.- Appendix 2 The GÖdel Incompleteness Theorems.- Appendix 3 The Calculus in Smooth InfinitesimalAnalysis.- Appendix 4 The Philosophical Thought of A Great Mathematician: Hermann Weyl.- Index of Names.- Index of Terms.

Reviews

... impressively broad and far-ranging... written in an accessible and engaging style... The appendix on GAdel's theorems...is clear and easy to follow... a clear and straightforward survey of the conceptual development of mathematics. It is a wonderful addition to the literature...provides an accessible introduction to the subject matter. I recommend it to anyone who has an interest in mathematics and its development.' Philosophia Mathematica, 8: 3 (2000)

'... impressively broad and far-ranging... written in an accessible and engaging style... The appendix on Godel's theorems...is clear and easy to follow... a clear and straightforward survey of the conceptual development of mathematics. It is a wonderful addition to the literature...provides an accessible introduction to the subject matter. I recommend it to anyone who has an interest in mathematics and its development.' Philosophia Mathematica, 8:3 (2000)

Author Information

Tab Content 6

Author Website:  

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

No review item found!

Add your own review!

Countries Available

All regions