Overview

Full Product Details

9780817643539

Table of Contents

Reviews

From the reviews: <p> This book aims to tell the historical evolution of the methods and results of approximation theory, starting from the work of Euler in 1777 on minimizing distance errors in maps of Russia, and of Laplace in 1843 on finding the best ellipsoid for the earth, and ending with the work of Bernstein. The central character in the book is Chebyshev (1821a 1894) and the Saint Petersburg Mathematical School he created.... [The] book contains much interesting material and has certainly motivated me to learn more about the subject and its history. No book can wish for more and so I recommend the book to anyone interested in approximation theory or in the history of mathematics. a MAA Reviews <p> The author describes the early stage of development of approximation theory. a ] The famous Russian school founded by a ] Chebyshev is presented in full. a ] contributions of German and French mathematicians to both Weierstrass and Chebyshev directions are illuminated a ] . All this is supported with quotations from documents, letters, speeches, early publications, and memoirs. a ] Undoubtedly, the author has succeeded in catching the spirit both of the Russian atmosphere of that time and of the depth and richness of the human relationships a ] . (B. Boyanov, Mathematical Reviews, Issue 2006 j) <p>a oeThe discussion of mathematical results and ideas constitutes the main part of the booka always accompanied by moving stories, marked by devotion to science, by humanity, and often by the cruelty of the political turbulence of Russian history. Undoubtedly, the author has succeeded in catching the spirit both of the Russian atmosphere of that time and of the depth and richness ofthe human relationships of the people involved.a (MATHEMATICAL REVIEWS) <p> This nice little book is devoted to the early development of approximation theory. It mainly concentrates on the role of Russian mathematicians but confronts it with the development of approximation theory in the West a ] The book will be of interest for historians of mathematics and for specialists in approximation theory. (EMS Newsletter, September, 2006) <p> The storie is vivid, rich and touching. Many interesting details from the life, education and work of the unsurpassed master of classical analysis, Sergei Natanovich Bernstein, are given. Some of them are published for the first time and come from personal reminiscences of his pupils, close friends and collaboratiors. ...All this is supported with quotations from documents, letters speeches, easrly publications, and memiors. ... Undoubtedly, the author has succeeded in catching the spirit both of the Russian atmosphere of that time and of the depth and richness of the human relationships of the people involved. (American Mathematical Society) <p> The booka (TM)s stated goal is a ~to describe the early development of approximation theorya ] (until) 1919a ].a (TM) I learned lots of new names, new stories, and new connections. a ] In conclusion, this book is necessary a ] for studying the history of approximation theory. a ] it does contain plenty of useful information that is not readily or not at all available elsewhere. (Paul Nevai, SIAM Review, Vol. 49 (1), 2007)

Aus den Rezensionen: ... Ich mochte dieses kleine Werk nicht mehr missen, denn Karl-Georg Steffens hat ein echtes Kleinod zur fruhen Geschichte der Approximationstheorie vorgelegt und seine Begeisterung fur die Leistungen der russischen Schule ist ehrlich und begrundet! ... Das Werk ist meines Wissens nach einzigartig in der Literatur zur Geschichte der Approximationstheorie. ... Der Text ist flussig geschrieben und gut lesbar ... Ich wunsche dem Buch zahlreiche Leser und kann dem Verlag nur raten, seine ... Werbung fur diese Publikation zu verstarken. Hier liegt ein Schatz! (Thomas Sonar, in: Mathematische Semesterberichte, 2007, Vol. 54, S. 122 f.)

Author Information

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available